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IVOS   ANGKLES,    CAL. 

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THE  TABLEAU; 


OR, 


HEAVEN  AS  A   REPUBLIC 


BY  JOHN  GEORGE  SCHWAHN. 


COPYRIGHT,  1891,  BY  J.  G.  SCHWAHN. 


LOS  ANGELES  : 

PRESS   OF  THE   FRANKUN   PRINTING   COMPANY. 
1892. 


TO 

THE  SUPPORTERS  01*  REASON  AND 
FRIENDS  OF  HUMANITY 

THIS  VOLUME  IS 
AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED. 
J.  G.  SCHWAHN.     \ 

• 


CONTENTS: 


Chapter.  Page 

I.  Transformation,  5 

II.  Species,  16 

III.  Humanity,  -       22 

(IV.  Israel,  37 

V.  Jerusalem,  -       47 

VI.  Offering,  55 

VII.  Tyranny,  -  -       62 

VIII.  Babylon,       -  -            69 

IX.  Buddhism,  -        -       78 

X.  Christianity,                   -  '  '    -  -            95 

XI.  Idolatry,  -  -         -     101 

XII.  Despotism,    -  107 

XIII.  Death,       -  -     119 

XIV.  The  Church,                                      -         -          130 
XV.  Reformation,     -  -     138 

PART  II. 

XVI.  Progress,       -  153 

XVII.  America,  -                 .-  -     161 

XVIII.  Science,  -          168 

XIX.  Rebellion,  -     177 

XX.  Profit,  -  183 

XXI.  Trouble,    -  -     189 

XXII.  Victory,  -          200 

XXIII.  Mass,  -     204 

XXIV.  Judgment,    -  208 

PART  III. 

XXV.  Wisdom,  -  -     212 

XXVI.  Destination, 232 


IT  is  my  belief  that  every  atom  of  matter  is  intelligent,  deriv 
ing  energy  from  the  primordial  germ.     The  intelligence  of 
man  is,  I  take  it,  the  sum  of  the  intelligences  of  the  atoms  of 
which  he  is  composed. 

Every  atom  has  an  intelligent  power  of  selection,  and  is  always 
striving  to  get  into  harmonious  relation  with  oilier  atoms.  The 
human  body,  I  think,  is  maintained  in  its  integrity  by  the  intelli 
gent  persistance  of  its  atoms,  or  lather  by  an  agreement  between 
the  atoms  so  to  persist.  When  the  harmonious  adjustment  is  de 
stroyed  the  man  dies  and  the  atoms  seek  other  relation. 

THOMAS  A.  EDISON. 


A* 

TRANSFORMATION. 


Part  i. 
CHAPTER  I. 

>HE  solar  tract  lay  enveloped  in  darkness  and 
silence.  A  dense  mass  of  clouds  filled  the  space. 
For  ages  it  hung  motionless  and  increased  in  den 
sity  until  it  appeared  as  though  it  could  be  grasped 
with  a  hand.  By  the  condition  of  the  substances  which 
composed  the  mass,  it  was  evident  that  a  terrible  confla 
gration  was  very  apt  to  ensue.  Accumulations  of  com 
bustible  gases  had  gathered  in  extensive  quantities.  A 
stir  among  the  different  substances  would  produce  cur 
rents  of  electricity,  and  the  coming  in  contact  of  electric 
ity  with  such  quantities  of  gas  would  effect  most  terrific 
explosions.  Such  a  stir  came.'*  A  chilly  blast  set  the 
clouds  in  motion.  It  was  the  first  move  of  the  gathered 
combination.  The  crest  of  the  black  mass  began  to  heave 
slightly,  but  soon  the  current  became  stronger,  and  the 
mass  began  to  squirm,  then  roll,  and  at  last  it  appeared 
as  an  ocean  scourged  by  a  hurricane.  For  a  while  the 
scene  inspired  awe  and  admiration.  Louder  and  louder 
roared  the  tempest,  and  wilder  rolled  the  clouds.  It  was  an 
awful  scene  and  every  moment  the  tempest  became  wilder. 
Suddenly  the  first  flash  of  lightning  and  peal  of  thunder 
shook  the  heavens.  The  conflict  had  begun.  Thunder 
could  be  heard  as  reporting  cannons  in  the  distance. 
The  storm  increased  and  explosions  became  more  numer 
ous.*  Flashes  of  the  expanding  gas  flitted  in  every  direc 
tion,  till  finally  the  heavens  were  one  mass  of  flames^ 


6  THE   TABLEAU. 

Soon  there  appeared  a  change.  The  matter  was  collecting 
into  bodies.  The  burning  gases  and  the  force  of  the  ex 
plosions  clashed  the  matter  together.  Great  masses  of 
transformed  matter  began  to  appear,  moving  in  every 
direction.  Still  larger  ones  hung  motionless  in  the  form 
ing  vault,  on  which  the  moving  ones  lodged.  Such  cen 
tral  bodies  were  scattered  throughout  the  tract.  Because 
of  their  superior  magnitude  from  the  beginning,  and  of 
the  greater  pressure  of  air  outside  the  bodies  than  between, 
the  smaller  would  naturally  be  forced  upon  the  larger. 
Therefore,  as  soon  as  a  portion  of  cloud  was  transformed 
into  solid  matter  or  fluid,  compression  immediately  be 
came  effective  and  moved  it  in  the  direction  where  was 
greatest  pressure. 

Compression  is  active  only  to  a  certain  distance  accord- 
Ing  to  the  magnitude  of  bodies.  Thus  it  came  about  that 
different  bodies  in  different  quarters  hung  motionless  and 
became  centers. 

The  flashes  and  flames  began  to  abate.  The  outskirts 
of  the  tract  were  already  clear  and  blue.  The  raging 
flames  retreated  more  and  more,  and  at  last  only  a  white 
glowing  globe  was  left.  This  was  discovered  to  be  a  com 
bination  of  light,  heat  and  color. 

Besides  the  qualities  within  the  solar  tract,  now  men 
tioned,  there  was  another,  independent  and  supreme, 
which  gave  rise  to  the  foregoing  formation  and  transfor 
mation.  This  most  refined  of  elements  is  called  "Selec- 
tricity."  It  is  the  prime  factor  of  the  solar  tract.-  It  is 
known  only  by  itself.  It  is  the  original  creative  faculty 
which  gives  rise  to  every  process  and  design — by  which 
all  minor  substances — the  elements  of  electricity,  air, 
clouds,  fluids,  and  solid  matter  obtain  their  course  and 
regulation.*  'This  element  of  elements,  all  predominating, 
self  conscious,  life  eternal,  selects,  creates  and  forms  for 


THE    TABLEAU.  7 

its  own  comfort,  organs  and  conditions  such  as  entertain 
and  satisfy. 

Selectrdcity  predominated  at  the  formation  of  the  cloud 
organ,  (whither  it  came  I  know  not)  with  a  view  of  pre 
paring  more  suitable  conditions  for  enjoyment.  Former 
conditions  had  lost  their  propriety  to  entertain  and  a 
new  plan  was  selected  which  is  already  partly  described. 
(See  note  below). 

The  glowing  globe  was  called  the  sun.  Great  showers 
of  sparks  began  to  escape  from  his  surface.  With  ter 
rific  force  they  flitted  broad.  ..st  in  every  direction.  Like 
an  immense  fire  ball  the  globe  began  to  revolve  under  the 
pressure  of  the  escaping  rays.  In  tangents  they  flitted  to 
the  utmost  regions  of  the  solar  tract.  The  coming  in 
contact  of  the  rays'with  the  planets  caused  them  to  per 
form  a  double  motion.  The  departing  motion  effected 
their  revolution  around  their  axis,  and  their  whirl  car 
ried  them  around  the  sun.  At  first  slow  and  irregular, 
sometimes  they  would  sway  as  an  untrue  balance  wheel. 
Owing  to  this  the  heat  of  the  sun  often  became  very  in 
tense  and  transformed  large  portions  of  solid  matter  and 
fluid  into  gas  and  vapor  which  ascended  into  space,  and 
of  which  moons  and  comets  were  afterwards  formed. 

Ages  have  passed.  The  doleful  scene  of  the  solar  tract 
has  become  settled.  In  the  centre  whirls  the  sun,  more 
magnificent  and  faster.  The  planets  are  carried  like 
chips  in  a  whirlpool.  Some  faster,  others  slower,  accord 
ing  to  the  distance  from  the  centre.  Their  surface  is 
covered  with  vast  walls  of  gray  and  brown  rocks,  Shape 
s' OTE— The  will  of  a  man  is  his  soul ;  the  will  of  a  nation  is  the  soul  of  a  na- 
tion.  This  national  soul  is  the  concentrated  will  of  citizens  or  parts.  So  the  soul  of 
man  is  the  concentrated  will  of  the  members  or  r  irts  of  which  he  is  composed.  I 
hold  therefore,  that  all  parts  have  in  themselves  the  same  faculty  of  selection  aa 
have  the  parts  which  form  a  nation,  a  city,  a  person,  a  heart,  a  stomach,  an  eye, 
an  ear,  or  an  atom  itself. 

When  an  atom,  or  any  part  of  any  combination  passes  into  a  condition  of  unease, 
efforts  to  restore  ease  will  follow.  In  atoms,  the  cause  of  this  effort  is  called  seleo- 
tvicity,  in  plants  habit,  in  animals  instinct,  in  man  intelligence,  and  in  a  nation, 
government. 


8  THE    TABLEAU. 

lessly  scattered  about.     Great  cracks  and  dens  make  it 
appear  as  only  fit  for  a  dwelling  place  of  wild  animals. 

The  sun  expended  his  rays  bountifully  upon  the  bare 
and  rugged  surface,  but  the  only  effects  perceptible 
are  the  rotation,  and  the  ascension  of  gas  and  vapor. 
In  this  stage  the  planets  were  as  if  bodily  alive.  Here 
would  break  forth  a  dense  volume  of  smoke  and 
fire.  The  rocks  would  begin  to  roll  and  the  dens  fill  up. 
A  wild  wave  would  sway  the  surface  and  a  sudden  eleva 
tion  or  a  great  gulf  would  appear.  Waters  would  change 
their  location  and  rush  with  terrible  force  from  one  place 
to  another.  This  was  caused  by  explosions  of  gas  which 
had  been  enclosed  at  the  formation  of  the  planet.  The 
enclosure  of  these  gases  for  a  certain  length  of  time  in  a 
certain  condition  would  result  in  explosion. 

All  planets  are  composed  of  the  same  materials,  yet 
the  surface  and  environments  appear  vastly  different. 
Some  are  divided  into  large  tracts  of  land  and  water, 
while  others  are  diversified  with  numerous  islands.  Some 
contain  more  water,  others  not  so  much.  Light,  heat, 
color,  and  chemical  effects,  are  different  in  proportion  and 
process.  Selectricity  is  the  same.  The  most  entertain 
ing  and  secure  condition  is  select.  The  existing  condi 
tion  is  select  until  another  becomes  more  favorable  for 
comfort.  Then  the  former  must  fall  assunder.  Though 
conflicts  and  conflagrations  threaten  to  lay  the  centend- 
ing  elements  waste,  yet,  from  every  conflict  arises  a  sur 
vivor,  the  choice  of  selectricity. 

Thus,  the  planets  and  all  they  contain  are  dualistic, 
stability,  select,  and  misformations  or  imperfections  of 
every  description,  destined  to  dissolution  into  their  origi 
nal  condition,  solid  matter  into  gas,  and  water  into  vapor. 
^The  sun  is  the  great  governor  by  which  the  planets  are 
given  to  change  tfoeir  condition  and  progress.  Their  mo- 


THE   TABLEAU.  9 

V- 

tion,  the  transformation  and  retransformation  of  matter, 
light,  heat,  color,  chemical  effects,  and  all  other  processes 
which  take  place  on  and  about  the  planets  are  direct 
effects  of  the  sun.  At  the  beginning  the  planets  moved 
not.  Heat  became  very  intense  on  the  sunny-side,  and 
gas  and  vapor  ascended  in  great  quantities.  There  was 
no  circulating  air  current.  It  was  all  compression. 
Compression  cannot  move  or  check  clouds,  but  only  solid 
matter,  therefore  the  clouds  of  gas  and  vapor  drifted  into 
space  and  hung  there. 

Under  the  continual  pressure  of  the  sun  rays  the  plan 
ets  began  to  move  and  by  the  diurnal  motion,  the  air 
which  surrounded  them,  was  also  moved,  and  a  circulating 
current  established.  The  planets  increased  in  speed. 
Faster  and  faster  they  whirled,  and  millions  of  miles  of 
the  surrounding  air  was  set  in  motion.  By  this  sweep  of 
air,  the  clouds  which  were  scattered  about  the  planets, 
were  gathered  and  transformed  into  solid  bodies  by  a 
similar  process,  to  that  in  the  beginning.  These  forma 
tions  are  called  moons.  Other  bodies  were  formed  by  the 
planets'  annual  motion,  that  is,  clouds  were  gathered  and 
transformed  which  were  beyond  the  current  of  circulation, 
but  in  the  path  of  annual  motion.  \ 

This  motion  of  the  planets  effected  the  current  neces 
sary  for  the  cloud  transformation  process.  The  bodies 
thus  formed  are  called  comets.  The  passing  planet  ef 
fected  the  transformation,  but  left  the  new  born  object 
lawless  in  the  vault,  and  under  the  influence  of  the  solar 
rays  which  soon  designed  a  course  for  them,  but  owing 
to  the  extensive  circulating  current  of  the  planets  no 
space  for  a  regular  course  was  -left.  They  drifted  into  the 
course  of  a  sweeping  planet,  and  the  circulating  current 
caused  by  the  diurnal  motion  seized  upon  them  and 
hurled  them  out  of  their  course  into  a  different  direction. 


10  THE    TABLEAU. 

Thus,  they  are  driven  from  one  region  into  another. 
Moons  derive  their  course  from  the  planets.  They  are 
carried  along  by  the  circulating  air  current.  They  are 
the  constant  attendants  of  the  planets.  Owing  to  their 
distance  from  them,  the  circulating  air  current  has  no 
great  force,  arid  therefore  they  move  much  slower  than 
the  planet  itself.  Not  all  the  planets  are  attended  by 
moons.  One  is  attended  by  only  one,  another  by  four, 
another  by  six,  another  by  seven.  Saturn  was  originally 
a  much  larger  planet,  but  was  decomposed  nearly  one-half 
by  the  sun  heat  in  his  stage  of  minor  motion.  Besides, 
the  seven  moons  which  surround  him,  there  was  formed 
an  immense  double  ring,  which  revolves  like  the  moons, 
and  is  carried  along  with  the  planet  in  his  circuit  around 
the  sun.  These  rings  in  the  course  of  formation  consisted 
of  millions  of  fragments  of  all  sizes.  Because  of  the 
great  density  of  the  clouds  in  the  particular  ring  distance, 
the  formation  of  solids  were  countless,  and  were  consoli 
dated  by  the  increasing  circulating  current.  >- 

There  is  no  other  planet  whose  firmament  presents  such 
a  variety  of  splendid  and  magnificent  objects.  The  var 
ious  aspects  of  the  seven  moons,  one  rising  above  the 
horizon  while  another  is  setting,  and  a  third  approaching 
the  meridian;  one  entering  into  an  eclipse  and  another 
emerging  from  it;  one  appearing  as  a  crescent,  and  an 
other  with  a  gibbous  phase;  and  sometimes  the  whole  of 
them  shining  in  the  same  hemisphere,  in  one  bright  as 
semblage;  the  majestic  motion  of  the  rings,  at  one  time 
illuminating  the  sky  with  their  splendor  and  eclipsing 
the  sun  and  stars;  at  another  arching  the  firmament  like 
an  immense  silvery  rainbow;  are  scenes  worthy  of  con 
templation. 

Besides  the  moons  and  comets,  there  are  other  forma 
tions  called  meteoric  stones,  which  fall  upon  the  planets. 


THE    TABLEAU.  11 

These  stones  are  of  all  dimensions  from  several  pounds 
to  many  tons.  They  are  composed  of  gas  residues,  with 
in  the  range  of  compression,  gathered  and  transformed 
by  the  circulating  current,  and  after  transformation  are 
forced  by  compression  upon  the  planet. 

There  are  eighi  i&rge  planets,  Mercury,  Venus,  the 
Earth,  Mars,  Jupiter,  Saturn,  Uranus  and  Neptune.  Be 
side  these  there  are  several  hundred  small  ones  which 
circulate  between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter.  The 
Sun  is  the  grand  center,  a  body  880,000  miles  in  diame 
ter,  revolving  in  twenty-five  days  and  ten  hours. 

The  nearest  planet  to  the  sun  is  Mercury.  He  is  about 
37,000,000  miles  distant  and  revolves  around  him  in 
eighty-eight  days.  His  diameter  is  3,200  miles,  and 
revolves  around  his  axis  in  twenty-four  hours. 

Venus,  the  next  in  order  from  the  sun  revolves  around 
him  in  224  days  at  a  distance  of  68,000,000  of  miles  and 
turns  around  its  axis  in  the  space  of  twenty-three  hours 
and  twenty  minutes.  Its  diameter  is  7,700  miles. 

The  Earth  is  the  next  in  the  system.  It  moves  around 
the  sun  in  365  days  and  six  hours,  at  a  distance  of  95,000- 
000  of  miles,  and  round  its  axis  in  twenty-four  hours. 
Its  diameter  is  8,000  miles. 

Next  to  the  earth,  the  planet  Mars  performs  his  revo 
lution  round  the  sun  in  one  year  and  ten  months,  at  the 
distance  of  145,000,000  of  miles.  His  diameter  is  4,200 
miles  and  he  turns  round  his  axis  in  twenty-four  hours 
and  forty  minutes. 

Next  come  the  small  planets.  They  vary  in  their 
course  to  the  extent  of  several  millions  of  miles,  and 
therefore  also  in  time.  All  of  them  however  revolve 
around  the  sun  in  the  space  of  from  three  to  six  years. 

Next  in  order  comes  Jupiter,  the  largest  of  the  planets, 
89,000  miles  in  diameter,  490,000,000  of  miles  from  the 


1^5  THE    TABLEAU. 

sun,  and  revolves  around  him  once  in  twelve  years,  mov 
ing  at  the  rate  of  29,000  miles  per  hour.  His  revolution 
upon  his  axis  is  performed  in  nine  hours  and  fifty-six 
minutes.  Jupiter  is  attended  by  four  moons. 

Saturn  is  next,  900,000,000  miles  from  the  sun,  and 
410,000,000  miles  from  Jupiter.  Saturn  is  79,000  miles 
in  diameter,  and  revolves  around  the  sun  in  twenty-nine 
years  and  upon  its  axis  in  ten  hours  and  sixteen  minutes. 
Saturn  is  attended  by  seven  moons  and  a  double  ring. 
The  rings  are  concentric,  detached  from  each  other, 
the  interval  being  2,800  miles.  The  breadth  of  both 
rings  including  the  space  between  is  30,000  miles. 
The  outside  diameter  of  the  rings  is  204,000  miles,  and 
the  space  between  them  and  Saturn  is  also  about  30,000 
miles. 

Uranus  the  next  is  removed  no  less  than  1,800,000,000 
miles  from  the  sun.  It  is  35,000  miles  in  diameter,  and 
takes  83-|  years  to  complete  its  revolution. 

Neptune  is  the  most  distant  planet,  2,864,000,000  miles 
from  the  sun  and  revolves  around  him  in  about  164^ 
years.  It  is  also  about  35,000  miles  in  diameter. 

These  bodies  constitute  the  solar  system.  The  matter 
of  which  they  are  composed  is  adapted  to  transformation 
into  cloud  organs.  In  this  matter,  whether  in  a  solid 
condition  or  in  the  condition  of  clouds,  are  contained  all 
qualities  peculiar  to  the  system,  force,  design,  selection, 
formation,  progression,  transformation,  and  retransform- 
ation  to  an  unlimited  extent. 

When  any  particular  combination  of  matter  has  re 
mained  in  its  peculiar  state  a  certain  period  of  time  and 
attained  its  highest  attainment  in  that  particular  state, 
the  particles  of  which  the  combination  is  composed  will 
desert  that  combination  and  enter  into  a  new  one  and 
create  a  new  series  of  events  in  which  new  scenes,  new 


THE    TABLEAU.  13 

beauties  and  sublimites  will  arise  from  new  and  varied 
conditions.  In  every  combination  there  are  members 
desiring  the  continuation  of  the  combination,  and  also 
members  desiring  dissolution  and  entrance  into  a  new 
condition.  The  will  of  the  majority  is  law.  A  combina 
tion  will  continue  while  the  majority  of  the  members  are 
for  it,  and  will  dissolve  when  they  are  against  it.  The 
rebel  members  are  the  oppressed  and  seek  for  liberty  but 
are  suppressed  until  conditions  convert  a  rebel  majoritv, 
when  the  opposition  must  yield.  An  atom  is  a  member  of 
the  solar  system,  as  well  as  the  sun.  An  atom  is  one,  a 
solar  system  are  many  millions.  In  every  molecule  is  con 
tained  a  habit  of  motion  and  selection,  of  repose  and  want. 
Repose  is  select,  want  despised  and  all  motion  within  the 
solar  tract,  is  calculated  for  satisfaction.  When  the  mat 
ter  of  the  solar  system  hung  in  darkness,  the  members 
of  light  were  in  bondage,  and  the  members  of  darkness 
in  repose  and  power.  The  members  of  light  rose  from  a 
minority  to  a  majority,  or  conditions  converted  a  major 
ity  of  members  in  favor  of  entering  into  a  new  combina 
tion.  A  conflict  ensued  which  resulted  in  the  overthrow 
ef  darkness  and  in  the  institution  of  light  or  the  form 
ation  of  the  solar  system  in  which  light  is  supreme.  The 
planets  contain  the  members  of  darkness,  the  sun"  of  light. 
Want  of  liberty  is  the  situation  or  condition  of  the  defeat 
ed  members  of  darkness.  All  manners  of  selection  and 
motion  throughout  the  planetary  bodies  is  therefore  for 
freedom — for  salvation.  Wherever  light  and  darkness 
come  in  contact  there  is  continual  conflict.  This  battle 
field  is  on  the  surface  of  the  planets.  The  members  of 
the  sun  and  the  members  of  the  planets  are  in  hostile  at 
titude,  and  the  planetary  members  seek  for  salvation.  In 
this  strife,  planetary  members  enter  into  countless  com 
binations  to  effect  their  purpose.  When  the  sun-rays 


14  THE   TABLEAU. 

descend  upon  a  planet  the  members  exposed  to  them  first 
enter  into  their  original  condition  of  cloud  organs,  gas 
and  vapor,  and  assend  into  the  skies.  Thus  they  mingle 
in  the  sky  and  form  atmosphere.  When  this  atmosphere 
attains  a  certain  density,  it  will  enable  the  sun  elements 
to  operate  upon  them,  and  a  second  effort  to  escape  will 
follow.  As  they  cannot  ascend  into  the  circulating  cur 
rent,  they  must  remain  below.  In  the  narrow  space  be 
tween  the  planet  and  the  circulating  current,  they  disperse 
themselves  into  all  conditions,  seeking  for  repose,  but  ow 
ing  to  the  continual  ascension  of  newly  escaped  members, 
the  air  sooner  or  later  becomes  over-charged  with  gas  and 
vapor.  Then  the  heat  will  increase,  and  as  heated  air 
becomes  lighter  than  cold  air,  it  will  ascend  into  higher 
regions,  and  surrounding  air  of  a  cooler  temperature  will 
rush  in  and  take  its  place. 

This  rush  of  air  is  called  wind.  Is  the  ascending  portion 
of  small  area — a  breeze  will  follow.  Is  it  of  a  large  area — 
a  storm  will  follow.  Is  the  ascending  portion  of  a  V  shape 
— the  colliding  currents  will  create  a  cyclone  at  the  point 
of  collision.  Gas  and  vapor  cannot  prevail  against  air 
currents.  It  is  gathered  vapor  into  clouds  of  water  and 
gas  into  clouds  of  gas.  When  these  clouds  become  of  a  cer 
tain  density,  the  gas  is  exploded  by  electricity  and  car 
ried  by  the  descending  rain  forced  by  compression,  back 
upon  the  planet.  The  explc3ion  of  gas  is  called  lightning 
and  the  concussion  caused  thereby,  thunder.  Thus  the 
planets  are  prevented  from  dissolution.  The  continual 
ascension  of  vapor  and  falling  of  rain,  creates  lakes, 
rivers,  and  springs  on  the  planets.  The  rain  will 
fall  into  a  basin-like  locality.  In  the  course  of  time 
this  basin  -will  begin  to  overflow.  The  water  washes  a 
channel  and  descends  into  a  basin  lying  lower.  Thus 
the  basin  becomes  a  lake,  the  channel  a  river.  The  pro 
cess  of  overflowing,  washing  a  channel  and  entering  a 


THE    TABLEAU. 


15 


lower  basin  is  continued,  until  the  channel  enters  the 
ocean.  The  wash  of  water  dissolves  the  rocks  and  car 
ries  them  into  the  bottom  of  the  lakes,  sand  from  sand 
stone,  calcareous  soil  from'  limestone,  and  clay  from  gran 
ite.  The  drying  up  of  such  a  lake  which  is  caused  by  the 
deepening  of  the  channel,  again  leaves  the.  members  of 
darkness  broadcast  under  the  influence  of  the  sun,  in  the 
shape  of  a  plain  or  valley?  and  a  new  selection  in  order  to 
attain  the  desired  state  of  repose  is  made. 


1 


intr-n 
^Safii«& 


SPECIES. 


CHAPTER  II. 

lECAUSE  selectricity  is  reflective  it  is  progressive 
and  never  quite  repeats  itself  but  always  attempts 
to  produce  a  new  and  more  satisfactory  condition. 
Beyond  the  atom  or  completely  dissolved  state 
of  matter  of  which  all  things  are  composed,  and  beyond 
selectricity  or  the  motive  factor  within  the  atom  by  which 
all  things  are  composed,  remains  the  unknown.  Taking 
from  this  unknown  realm  the  atom  or  molecule  as  the 
substance  of  body  or  matter,  and  selectricity  the  substance 
of  mind  or  soul,  enables  us  to  dispense  with  the  unknown 
in  change  and  progress  but  not  with  origin  or  destiny. 
As  the  eye  knows  the  surroundings  and  as  it  loses  sight 
of  objects  in  the  distance,  so  the  mind  knows  the  sur 
roundings,  but  loses  itself  in  every  direction,  except  by 
looking  inward.  Here  is  always  truth  and  knowledge. 
Here  is  felt  the  want,  and  also  found  the  remedy.  Here 
is  the  seat  of  pain  and  of  pleasure,  therefore  be  the  com 
bination  a  planet,  a  nation,  a  city,  a  house,  a  man,  an  eye, 
a  particle,  or  be  it  a  molecule,  there  can  be  no  truth  or 
knowledge  but  from  within,  no  description  of  want  and 
therefore  no  remedy.  }  ^ 

j>  All  events  from  the  combination  or  disolution  of  two 
atoms,  or  the  combination  or  dissolution  of  a  planet,  or 
of  a  nation,  or  of  a  city,  or  of  an  animal,  or  of  an  organ 
thereof,  or  of  flesh,  or  of  sponge,  or  of  plants,  or  of  soil,  or 
of  rock,  or  of  gas,  or  of  light,  or  of  darkness,  or  of  heat, 
or  of  cold,  or  of  color,  or  of  taste,  or  of  form,  are  caused 
and  effected  by  the  conditions  and  combinations  from 


THE    TABLEAU.  17 

which  thej-  combine,  or  from  the  conditions  and  combi 
nations  from  which  they  dissolve.  Ever  since  the  first 
molecule  began  to  vibrate  and  caused  a  disturbance  com 
binations  appeared  and  disappeared.  There  are  ever  and 
anon  two  factions,  the  disturber  and  the  disturbed,  and 
from  the  friction  of  these  two  flow  the  events  of  combi 
nation  and  dissolution,  and  after  the  nature  of  the  fric 
tion  are  formed  subjects  and  objects,  organs  and  organi 
zations.  Every  organ  or  organization  is  organized  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  that  is  to  subdue  the  evil  or  disease  and 
to  promote  the  good  or  ease  Any  act  or  purpose  contrary 
to  this  is  not  natural.  Every  organization  also,  is  organ 
ized  by  itself,  not  of  foreign  matter,  neither  of  foreign 
mind,  habit,  or  selectricity.  Every  organization  is  formed 
of  itself  and  by  itself,  a  nation,  a  state,  animation,  and 
vegetation.  A  nation  is  an  organ  of  a  world,  a  state,  of 
a  nation,  animation  of  a  state;  animation  is  from  vege 
tation,  vegetation  from  soil,  soil  from  rock,  etc.  A  nation 
organizes  itself  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  able  to  protect 
itself  against  other  nations,  the  elements  of  nature  and 
all  such  evils  and  diseases  as  may  be  more  easily  over 
come  by  union  of  mind  and  muscle.  The  same  applies 
to  a  state.  There  are  many  nations  and  many  states. 
They  are  all  different.  Why?  Is  it  because  the  matter 
of  which  they  are  composed  is  different  ?  No.  The 
matter  is  one  flesh  and  one  blood,  all  one  mind  and  one 
soul,  but  the  combinations  were  made  in  different  times, 
under  different  conditions,  and  in  different  circum 
stances.  Hence,  the  difference  of  language,  law  and  re 
ligion.  Laws  and  regulations  and  instruments  for  pleas 
ure  and  protection,  change  from  time  to  time.  That 
which  becomes  useless  falls  away.  The  laws  are  reformed, 
the  regulations  altered,  instruments  for  pleasure  and  pro 
tection  made  more  convenient  and  effective  according  to 

B 


18  THE   TABLEAU. 

V     ^ 

the  flow  of  events  with  which  the  organization  has  to 
•contend.  All  this  is  done  by  factors  of  the  organization. 
No  foreign  power  is  employed  whatever.  The  organs  or 
members  of  the  organization  form  and  reform  themselves 
to  the  most  advantageous  position  and  condition.  Thus 
comes  the  origin  of  species,  of  nations  and  states.  The 
same  is  applicable  to  animation,  like  the  members  of  a 
nation  combine  for  the  purpose  of  overcoming  evil  and 
disease,  and  for  the  promotion  of  pleasure  and  ease,  so 
with  the  particles  and  members  of  animation.  As  a  na 
tion  changes  according  to  the  perception  of  advantage  by 
its  members,  so  the  members  of  animation,  the  feet,  the 
legs,  the  hands,  the  arms,  the  body,  the  head,  the  senses, 
the  heart  and  entrails.  They  combine  and  form  them 
selves  for  pleasure  and  protection  and  also  change  from 
time  to  time.  That  which  becomes  useless  falls  away. 
That  which  is  most  useful  becomes  strong  by  the  rein 
forcement  of  other  members.  The  arms  or  hands,  the 
legs  or  feet  shape  themselves  so  as  to  afford  the  greatest 
possible  convenience  and  effect  for  the  purpose  for  which 
they  are  calculated.  With  the  eyes,  the  nose,  the  ears, 
the  mouth,  it  is  the  same.  In  a  nation  there  are  agents 
for  communication,  investigaton,  consideration,  regula 
tion  and  protection.  There  is  a  sense  of  prosperity  and 
of  want.  There  is  the  eye,  the  ear,  the  smell  the  taste,  the 
feeling,  all  officials  ministering  to  one  central  understand 
ing  where  the  will  is  made,  and  from  which  the  orders 
and  regulations  proceed.  In  this  understanding  is  rep 
resented  every  particle  of  the  organization,  through 
the  medium  of  the  senses  (as  senators).  External  dan 
gers,  internal  derangements,  hunger,  cold,  weariness, 
trouble,  and  all  sorts  of  disease  are  there  considered,  and 
arrangements  made  for  overcoming  it.  Animation  is  a 
composition  of  vegetation,  water  and  atmosphere.  By 


THE   TABLEAU.  19 

instruments  or  members,  these  materials  are  selected  and 
transferred  to  other  members  which  prepare  and  retrans- 
fer  them  to  the  pleasure  of  the  needy.  The  eye  the 
prospector,  the  hand  the  miner,  the  taste  the  tester,  the 
stomach  the  refinery,  the  heart  the  distributor.  Then 
again  the  operations  of  the  sexual  qualities.  The  female 
members  receive  from  the  male  members,  as  it  were,  a 
plan  and  specifications  by  which  the  members  of  the 
female  prepare  a  new  organization,  with  all  the  functions 
new  and  better,  to  be  launched  into  existence  to  improve 
and  prosper  with  new  vigor,  unfold  new  pleasures,  and 
destroy!  the  evil  to  an  unlimited  extent.  All  these  oper 
ations  are  performed  by  combined  molecules  and  the 
combined  selectricity  or  power  of  selection  thereof.  There 
is  no  external  power  whatever  about  it.  As  the  members 
of  a  nation  are  wise  in  themselves,  so  the  members  of 
a  body  of  flesh  are  wise  in  themselves,  and  so  the  mole 
cules  are  wise  in  themselves.  As  one  nation  is  more  pow 
erful  than  another,  eo  with  animals,  and  as  the  power 
depends  not  on  bulk  but  on  conditions,  so  it  is  in  anima 
tion.  A  nation  of  a  million  armed  members  may  destroy 
a  nation  of  two  million  unarmed  members,  and  so  with 
animation,  a  man  may  kill  an  elephant. 

When  a  nation  dissolves,  the  officeholders  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest  are  no  more  supported  by  the  mem 
bers  and  yet  need  not  necessarily  die.  It  is  each  one  for 
himself.  The  combined  power  of  the  muscle  ceases,  and 
also  the  combined  power  of  the  will,  yet  each  and  every 
member  individually  retains  a  certain  amount  of  power, 
also  of  will,  with  which  he  may  enter  into  another  com 
bination  or  remain  independent  if  he  will.  So  with  the 
dissolution  or  dying  of  a  man  or  anything  else.  Each 
particle  has  its  own  peculiar  power  of  will.  *  If  it  is  com 
bined  in  the  form  of  beast  it  is  called  instinct;  combined 


20  THE  TABLEAU. 

in  the  form  of  man,  it  is  called  intelligence  or  soul;  in 
dissolution  it  is  called  selectricity.  The  matter  of  any 
combination  when  going  into  dissolution  is  accompanied 
by  the  soul.  Each  particle  has  in  it,  its  soul,  or  each 
collection  of  molecules  contains  ever  and  anon  its  pro 
per  amount  of  selectricity.  Therefore  where  the  body  is 
there  the  soul  is  also,  and  where  the  atom  or  molecule  is 
there  too  is  the  selectricity.  These  two  cannot  be  sepa 
rated.  In  vegetation  the  same  principle  is  active.  The 
soil  of  a  certain  quality  enters  voluntarily  into  a  seed 
and  makes  out  of  an  acorn  an  oak.  Only  when  the  re 
sources  are^axhausted,  or  external  elements  scorch,  or 
drown,  or  freeze  it,  then  will  the  particles  which  compose 
it  dissolve.  Different  localities  bring  forth  different 
species  of  plants.  In  the  marsh,  on  the  table  lands,  and 
on  the  mountains  are  peculiar  species,  suitable  to  the 
climate  and  circumstances.  In  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  in 
shallow  water,  and  on  rocks  are  grasses  and  mosses. 
When  eelectricity  in  a  dissolved  state  becomes  weary  of 
that  state,  it  will,  like  mind,  seek  society.  This  society 
will  be  like  the  members  of  which  it  is  composed.  Op 
pression  or  disease  causes  the  molecules,  and  particles 
to  resort  to  a  union  for  defence,  in  the  shape  of  moss, 
mushrooms,  grass,  vegetables,  or  trees. 

The  origin  of  species  is  thus: 

Here  is  oak,  here  is  ice,  a  certain  process  with  certain 
substances  will  produce  ice  at  all  times  and  everywhere. 
Another  process  will  produce  another  article,  and  a  cer 
tain  process  with  conditions  and  substances  right,  will 
produce  oak.  The  artificial  oak  is  perfect,  as  artificial 
ice  is  perfect.  Discover  and  follow  the  art  of  nature  and 
be  enabled  to  imitate.  Find  the  art  of  producing  oak, 
and  produce  it  or  any  other  substance  the  same  way. 
The  things  are,  they  once  were  not.  A  great  process 


THE    TABLEAU. 


21 


makes  great  things,  and  a  small  process  small  things. 
The  motive  power  in  these  processes,  or  in  any  process, 
is  selectricity,  known  by  the  ancients  in  a  thing  called 
God. 


^_-  »^*  W  T;    '*'  T  t1  T 


HUMANITY. 


CHAPTER  III. 

PON  a  time  a  woman  stood  on  a  certain  place  with 
her  face  turned  from  her  home.  She  was  in  great 
distress.  She  wept  and  trembled  and  broke  into 
a  lamentable  cry:  "  What  shall  I  do?"  In  this 
plight  she  went  back  to  her  house  and  restrained  herself, 
that  her  friends  might  not  perceive  her  trouble,  but  she 
could  not  be  silent  long,  for  her  trouble  increased,  and  she 
related  it  to  her  kin  and  said:  "  Oh  my  dear  father  and 
toother,  my  brothers  and  sisters.  I,  the  kin  of  your  flesh 
ftm  in  myself  undone  because  of  a  darkness  that  has  come 
upon  me,  and  moreover  I  am  aware  that  this  our  state  in 
which  we  dwell  is  full  of  evil,  sorrow  and  death,  which 
fearful  and  cruel  enemies  follow  me,  and  you,  my  father, 
you,  my  mother,  and  your  dear  babes,  and  will  sooner 
or  later  strike  us  down,  and  make  us  subject  to  their 
lashes,  unless  some  way  of  escape  can  be  found  by  which 
we  may  be  delivered. 

At  this  her  relatives  were  sore  amazed,  not  that  they 
did  not  believe  her,  but  that  she  dissented  from  teachings 
which  they  had  so  faithfully  bestowed  upon  her.  They 
thought  to  drive  away  her  "  frenzied  notion,"  as  they 
called  it,  by  quoting  to  her  the  traditions  of  their  fathers 
in  relation  to  the  mercy  and  goodness  of  God,  but  on 
failing  to  restore  her  peace  with  words,  her  father  said: 

"  Come,  my  good  dauhgter,  and  see  the  gifts  of  Him  who 
careth  for  his  children.  Come  see  the  pleasantness  of 
Spring,  and  how  the  fruitful  earth  yields  riches  for  its 
creatures,  how  all  creation  is  in  cheer  and  loveliness." 


THE   TABLEAU.  23 

So  he  took  her  and  led  her  through  groves  and  blooming 
gardens,  green  meadows,  amid  the  cries  of  plowing  time, 
into  a  field  where,  up  and  down,  steeds  strained  their 
shoulder  in  the  creaking  hame,  and  peasants  leading 
plows,  the  fat  soil  rising  and  rolling  in  smooth  and  shape 
ly  furrows.  Among  the  willows,  the  ripple  of  laughing 
water  was  heard,  and  where  it  ran,  the  earth  bordered  it 
with  cresses.  The  jungle  laughed  with  nesting  songsters, 
and  all  the  thickets  rustled  with  small  life,  pleased  with 
Spring  time.  In  the  spray  flashed  the  sun  bird,  bee  eat 
ers  and  hawks,  chasing  butterflies,  beneath  striped  squir 
rels  raced,  and  woodchucks  peeped  and  piped.  The  king 
fisher  sat  on  his  withered  limb,  and  fishes  played  below. 
The  peacock  wheeled  its  feathery  wealth,  and  blue  dovea 
cooed  at  every  well.  Far  off  the  clattering  mill  was 
heard  or  the  rumble  of  a  well  loaded  wagon.  The  village 
bell  rang  out  a  chime  for  some  glad  marriage  feast.  Air 
things  spoke  of  peace  and  plenty,  and  seeing  this,  the 
father  said: 

"  My  child,  is  life  not  sweet,  and  should  we  not  rejoke?" 
Humanity  sighed  and  answered :  "  Dear  father,  thou 
dost  look  at  things  not  right.  There  are  thorns  upon  this 
rose  of  life  which  thou  dost  overlook.  See  how  the  peas 
ant  sweated  for  his  wage,  toiling  for  leave  to  live;  see  how 
he  urges  and  goads  the  weary  steeds  through  the  flaming 
hours.  See  how  the  lizard  feeds  on  the  ant,  and  the 
snake  on  the  lizard,  and  kite  on  both.  See  the  fish-hawk 
eat  the  finny  tribe ;  the  bee  catcher  the  bee  ;  the  hawk 
the  bird,  till  everywhere  each  slays  a  slayer,  and  in  turn 
is  slain.  Life  living  on  death.  So  the  fair  show  veils 
one  vast  savage  conspiracy  of  mutual  murder,  from  the 
worm  to  man.  What  murdering  tribes  and  slavish  lives, 
Is  this,"  she  said  "that  happy  earth  the  Gods  have- 
made?  How  salt  with  toil  the  peasants,  bread?  How 


24  THE    TABLEAU. 

hard  the  steeds  must  strain .  The  air  plots  storm  and 
thunderbolts.  All  things  wait  for  their  ruin.  The  sight 
of  this  deep  disease  of  life  fills  me  with  pity  and  pain. 
Oh!  where  may  be  found  a  remedy.  My  heart  bursts 
with  a  passion  to  help  and  heal.  Where  are  thy  Gods  of 
mercy  and  might,  that  I  may  warn  them  of  their  sin,  and 
tell  them  of  their  duty  to  purge  this  writhing  hell."  The 
father  hesitated  to  answer,  he  hung  his  head  in  sadness. 

"  Child!"  he  said.  "  thou  dost  not  understand.  Take 
heed,  thou  sinnest  greatly  in  speaking  thus.  God  is  mer 
ciful  in  truth,  but  thou  dost  not  understand.  Leave  off 
thy  meditation  of  the  ways  of  the  allwise  and  come  to 
thy  home  and  rest." 

They  then  turned  homeward  and  walked  in  silence  when 
from  the  roadside  moaned  a  mournful  voice.  "  Help,  good 
people,  oh  help,  or  I  shall  die."  A  stricken  wretch  it 
was,  the  victim  of  some  deadly  plague  whose  quivering 
frame  lay  in  the  dust,  writhing  with  fiery  purple  blotches 
specked,  and  chilly  sweat  beaded  on  his  brow.  His  lace 
was  drawn  awry  with  twitchings  of  sore  pain,  his  eyes 
swam  in  wild  agony,  gasping  he  clutched  the  grass  to 
rise,  and  rose  halfway,  then  sank  with  quaking  feeble 
limbs  and  a  scream,  crying  "Ah!  the  pain,  good  people, 
help."  Whereon  Humanity  lifted  the  woeful  man  with 
tender  hands  and  laid  the  sick  head  on  her  knee, 
and  with  soft  touch  she  comforted  him,  and  asked: 
"Brother  what  is  ill  with  thee?  Wherefore  canst  thou  not 
rise?  Why  is  it,  father,  that  he  pants  and  moans  and 
gasps  to  speak  and  sighs  so  pitifully?  See  how  he  plucks 
and  plucks,  to  seize  his  grief  and  rolls  his  bloodshot  eyes, 
and  grinds  his  teeth,  and  how  he  gasps  for  breath.  Oh 
that  I  could  ease  thee,  my  brother,  how  gladly  I  would, 
but  I  know  not  how.  Oh  that  the  Gods  would  send  rem 
edy  for  the  evil  they  have  made." 


THE    TABLEAU.  25 

While  Humanity  was  thus  breaking  with  pity  over  the 
suffering  wretch,  a  stranger  approached  them  and  asked 
the  cause  of  the  scene:  "  This  man  we  heard  calling  for 
help,  and  found  him  here  lying  in  the  dust  in  great  agony. 
Canst  thou  not  tell  what  ails  him  and  ease  his  suffer 
ing?  "  Then  the  fctranger  looked  him  in  the  face  and 
spake  :  "  Good  woman,  this  man  is  smitten  with  a  pest, 
his  elements  are  all  confounded.  In  his  veins  the  blood 
leaps  and  boils  a  fiery  flood.  His  heart  beats  like  an 
ill  played  drum,  fast  and  slow,  his  nerves  are  all  undone, 
his  strength,  all,  all  gone,  and  a  fit  upon  him.  Lo,  now 
he  would  die.  '  Twould  be  well  for  him,  but  he  shall  not, 
until  the  plague  has  had  its  work  in  him,  killing  the 
nerves  which  die  before  the  life.  Then  when  his  strings 
have  cracked  with  agony,  and  all  his  bones  are  empty  of 
the  sense  to  ache,  the  plague  will  cease,  and  light  else 
where.  Good  woman,  'tis  not  good  to  hold  him  so.  The 
harm  may  pass  and  strike  thee,  even  thee." 

"And  are  there  others  thus,  are  there  many  thus? " 
asked  Humanity. 

"  Good  woman "  answered  the  stranger,  "  this  comes 
in  many  forms,  to  all  men — griefs  and  wounds,  sickness 
and  tetters,  palsies,  leprosies,  hot  fevers,  watery  wasting 
issues,  blains  and  fits  befall  all  flesh  and  enter  every 
where." 

"And  is  there  no  remedy  for  such  evils?"  asked  Hu 
manity  again. 

"Yes,"  said  the  stranger,  "there  is  one  way  to  remedy 
all  things,  that  is  by  learning  the  cause,  and  purging  it, 
the  way" — 

"Let  the  day  perish  wherein  I  was  born,  and  the 
night  in  which  it  was  said:  'There  is  a  man-child  con 
ceived.'  -Let  that  day  be  darkness,  and  let  the  night  be 
eolitary,  let  no  joyful  voice  come  therein!  Why  died  I 


26  THE    TABLEAU. 

not  before  I  was  born?  For  then  should  I  have  lain  still 
and  been  quiet.  I  should  have  slept  then  and  been  at 
rest.  Wherefore  is  light  given  to  him  that  is  in  misery, 
and  life  unto  the  bitter  soul  that  longs  for  death  which 
cometh  not,  even  though  it  dig  for  it  more  than  for  hid 
den  treasures,  and  which  rejoices  and  is  glad  when  it 
findeth  its  grave?  Why  is  light  given  to  a  man  whose 
way  is  hid  and  whom  God  has  hedged  in?  For  the  thing 
which  I  greatly  feared  has  come  upon  me  and  that  which 
I  was  afraid  of  is  come  unto  me.  The  arrows  of  the 
Almighty  are  within  me,  the  poison  whereof  drinketh  my 
spirit,  the  terrors  of  God  do  set  themselves  in  array 
against  me.  0  that  I  might  have  my  request,  and  that 
$od  would  grant  me  the  thing  which  I  long  for,  even 
that  it  would  please  God  to  destroy  me,  that  he  would 
let  me  loose  and  cut  me  off.  O  thou  preserver  of  man! 
Why  hast  thou  set  me  as  a  mark  against  Thee  so  that  I 
am  a  burden  to  myself,  and  why  dost  thou  not  pardon 
my  transgressions  and  take  away  my  misery?  To  him 
that  is  afflicted,  pity  should  be  shown,  but  God  has  for 
saken  me.  Therefore  will  I  not  refrain  my  mouth.  I 
will  speak  in  the  anguish  of  my  spirit.  I  will  complain 
in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul." — Bible. 

Thus  spoke  the  reviving  sufferer  and  rose  to  his  feet. 
The  stranger  seeing  that  the  fit  was  over  walked  away  in 
silence. 

Humanity  was  left  alone  with  her  patient,  who  thanked 
her  for  the  pity  she  had  shown  him  and  departed.  Then 
she  followed  her  father,  who  was  walking  at  some  dis 
tance,  homeward.  As  she  walked  along  the  words  of  the 
sufferer  and  also  the  speech  of  the  stranger  came  to  her 
mind.  Under  a  tree  by  the  wayside,  she  seated  herself 
for  reflection,  and  after  awhile  she  brake  into  words  say 
ing:  "  Oh  suffering  state  in  which  I  dwell,  oh  flesh,  why 


THE   TABLEAU.  27 

art  thou  lodged  in  this  vile  net  of  death  and  woe,  and 
life  which  binds  to  both?  I  see,  I  feel  the  vastness  of  the 
agony  of  earth,  the  vainness  of  its  joys,  the  mockery  of 
all  its  best,  the  anguish  of  its  worst.  Since  pleasures 
end  in  pain,  and  youth  in  age,  and  love  in  loss,  and  life 
in  hateful  death,  and  death  in  unknown  lives  which  may 
but  yoke  men  to  another  yoke  to  bear  the  weight  of  false 
delights,  and  woes  that  really  are.  Yea,  once  this  veil 
me  cheated  too,  lovely  to  live,  and  life  a  sunny  stream, 
but  the  veil  is  rent  which  blinded  me,  the  Gods  are  deaf 
and  dumb.  These  men  of  pain  cry  unto  them  but  are 
not  heard.  Pain,  blood,  despair,  they  do  not  heed.  Per 
chance  they  are  in  need  of  help  themselves,  because  they 
save  not  when  sad  lips  sry  and  wretches  writhe  in  agony. 
I  would  not  let  one  cry  whom  I  could  save.  How  could 
Gods  make  worlds  and  keep  them  miserable  if  alwise  and 
merciful?  Gods  are  not  good  or  are  not  powerful.  Yet 
there  must  be  help,  there  must  be  help  for  this  world  of 
woe." 

After  she  had  said  this  she  went  home  where  she 
was  received  with  rebuke  and  surly  treatment  for  med 
dling  with  things  past  her  understanding  as  they  said,  and 
caring  for  afflicted  wretches  of  the  highway.  Seeing  thus 
the  heartlessness  of  her  relations  and  their  blindness  her 
heart  rented  in  grief,  and  she  stayed  in  her  chamber  or 
in  places  of  solitude  wearing  away  with  helpless  love. 
One  day  she  walked  into  a  wide  field  and  in  her  grief  she 
cried  out  as  before:  "What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?  " 
She  looked  this  way  and  that  way  as  if  she  would  run, 
yet  she  stood  still  because  she  new  not  whither  to  go. 
Presently  she  heard  a  voice  behind  her.  She  turned  and 
recognized  the  stranger  that  she  had  met  in  the  highway. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  good  woman,  for  disturbing  you. 
My  name  is  Reason,  we  have  met  before.  I  believe  thou 


28  THE   TABLEAU. 

art  in  distress  regarding  thy  salvation  from  pain  and 
death.  I  hear  thou  hast  dissented  from  the  faith  of  thy 
fathers,  and  art  in  thyself  undone  for  want  of  counsel 
and  sympathy." 

"My  good  sir,  glad  am  I  to  meet  thee.  I  have  sought 
for  thee  since  we  met  on  the  highway.  I  am  in  great  dis 
tress  over  my  own  and  the  doom  of  all  flesh.  Sickness 
and  death  are  the  enemies  of  our  state,  and  were  they 
overcome  life  and  peace  should  be  supreme.  Thou  hast 
spoken  to  me  of  a  remedy,  but  I  am  at  a  loss  to  find  it." 

"  Glad  am  I  also  that  thou  hast  found  me,  and  more 
glad  am  I  to  find  thee.  This  our  state,  is  full  of  misery. 
It  is  like  unto  a  whited  sepulchre,  which  indeed  appears 
beautiful,  outwardly,  but  within  it  is  full  of  dead  men's 
bones  and  of  filth  and  uncleanness.  I  have  sought  to 
leave  this  state,  but  on  hearing  of  thee  I  thought  of  invit 
ing  thee  to  be  my  companion,  but  what  is  it  that  thou 
eeekest,  Humanity?" 

"  I  seek  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  a  condition  unde- 
filed  and  that  fadeth  not  away,  where  all  pain  and  dis 
tress  have  passed  away.  This  it  is  which  I  seek." 

"It  may  be  found,  and  so  it  may,"  said  Reason.  "I 
have  a  book  called  invention  in  which  is  written:  '  There 
is  an  endless  state  to  be  attained  and  everlasting  life 
given  those  who  enter  into  it.'  Then  again,  'there  are 
crowns  of  glory  and  garments  attainable  which  shall 
save  from  all  pain.  There  shall  be  no  more  crying  or 
sorrow,  but  repose  and  power  eternal.  There  also  we  shall 
meet  with  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  that  fell  by 
the  way,  none  of  them  hurtful.  The  elders  of  the  ages 
in  golden  crowns,  the  virgins  with  golden  harps,  clothed 
with  immortality  as  with  a  garment.' "  "Wonderful,"  said 
Humanity,  "  It  is  enough  to  ravish  ones  heart,  but  are 
these  things  really  to  be  enioyed?" 


THE    TABLEAU.  29 

"  Yes,  my  good  woman,  they  are  to  be  enjoyed  by  those 
who  enter  into  the  state  where  they  are.  There  are  three 
states,  the  Ignorant,  the  Scientific,  and  the  state  of  Wis 
dom.  In  the  Ignorant  state  is  superstition,  fear  and 
misery.  In  this  state  we  are  now.  In  the  Scientific 
state  is  knowledge  and  progress,  and  in  the  state  of 
Wisdom  is  power,  beauty  and  immortality,  and  all  the 
things  which  may  be  desired.  This  last  state  is  attain 
able  as  well  as  the  first  and  second.  And  now  I  would 
ask  thee  to  be  my  companion  and  journey  with  me  into 
the  land  of  bliss.  By  uniting  our  efforts  we  shall  be  bet 
ter  able  to  overcome  our  enemies.  What  sayst  thou?" 

"  I  do  not  quite  understand  thee.  Dost  thou  mean 
that  man  alive  can  enter  the  state  of  Wisdom,  and  will 
bring  about  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  immortal 
ity?"  inquired  Humanity. 

"  That  is  what  I  mean.  We  must  live  and  learn  that 
which  is  good,  and  that  which  is  evil — preserve  the  good 
and  destroy  the  evil  as  we  go.  And  when  the  space  and 
time  is  filled  with  good  then  the  evil  is  swallowed  by 
victory  and  good  universal.  Good  and  evil  are  of  the 
same  substance.  Good  is  knowledge  and  right  condition, 
and  evil  is  ignorance  and  wrong  condition,  or  in  other 
words,  evil  is  of  misapplication  of  anything.  Universal 
wrong  makes  universal  evil,  and  universal  right  makes 
universal  good.  Sense  is  the  guide  to  knowledge  and  is 
the  judge  of  joy  and  pain.  Joy  is  good,  pain  is  evil. 
Thou  art  the  bearer  of  sense.  Invention  is  the  way,  and 
I  am  the  inventor,  and  at  thy  wish  I  shall  lead  thee  into 
the  state  of  wisdom  where  is  immortality,  life  and  peace 
eternal.  I  pray  thee  accept  my  hand  and  give  me  thine." 

"I  will  go  with  thee,"  said  Humanity,  after  which 
Reason  embraced  her,  saying:  "I  am  exceedingly  glad 
you  are  persuaded  to  go,  for  the  state  of  which  I  spoke  is 


30  THE   TABLEAU. 

rich  but  uninhabited,  and  with  thee  by  my  side  we  shall 
bring  the  world  to  wisdom  and  glory." 

"  Glad  am  I,  my  good  companion,  to  hear  these  things, 
come  let  us  enter  upon  the  journey." 

"  Net  yet;"  said  Reason,  "but  let  us  go  back  to  Barbar 
ism,  the  city  of  our  fathers,  and  invite  our  friends  and 
neighbors  to  join  us.  It  will  be  more  agreeable  and  less 
dangerous.". 

"  Be  it  so,"  said  Humanity,  "  Lead  and  I  will  follow 
thee."  So  they  went  back  to  take  leave  of  their  neigh 
bors  and  persuade  their  friends  to  go  with  them,  but  in 
this  they  fared  evil.  They  met  with  abuse  and  chidings, 
mockery  and  evil  threatenings. 

"  What,"  said  they,  "leave  the  habitations  and  rule  of 
our  fathers  and  follow  such  crazy-headed  dreamers  as 
you?  Nay,  the  rules  of  our  fathers  are  good  enough  for 
us." 

"  They  felt  not  the  terrors  of  the  misery  about  them  and 
were  blind  to  reason  and  improvement,  therefore  they 
could  not  be  moved."  After  seeing  that  speeches  and 
warnings  were  in  vain,  Reason  said:  "  It  is  enough,  Hu 
manity.  Prepare  thyself  to  enter  upon  the  journey  into 
the  land  of  which  I  have  spoken  to  thee.  These  our 
friends  perceive  not  as  we  do,  therefore  they  will  not 
hear  us." 

Then  Humanity  betook  herself  to  her  father's  house  to 
bid  a  last  farewell,  but  was  received  with  ill  will.  The 
neighbors  hearing  of  her  near  departure  compassed  her 
from  every  hand,  rebuked  and  threatened  to  hold  her 
back  by  force.  Humanity  wept  and  hid  her  face  in 
grief.  When  the  indignation  had  risen  to  a  great  confu 
sion,,  Reason  appeared  on  the  scene  and  said:  "Friends, 
hold  us  not  back,  make  not  our  hearts  heavy  for  they  are 
now  on  the  point  of  breaking.  Life  in  this  our  state  is 


THE   TABLEAU.  31 

fearful,  it  leads  to  cruel  death.  Love  leads  to  painful 
loss,  and  joy  to  sorrow,  which  we  do  not  desire.  To  stay 
this  wheel  of  change  we  will  depart.  Unto  this  we  have 
come,  unto  this  the  past  has  lead  us.  We  cannot  enjoy 
the  things  ye  offer  any  longer.  We  lay  aside  the  realms 
of  ease  which  wait  fearfully  for  old  age  and  death.  We 
choose  to  wander  and  wage  with  the  enemies,  perchance 
we  may  be  victorious  till  the  earth  rejoices  in  our  name. 
We  choose  to  tread  its  path  with  patient  feet,  making  its 
dust  our  bed,  its  loneliest  waste  our  dwellings,  and  its 
meanest  things  our  companions.  Our  garb  may  be  of 
outcasts'  wear,  our  food  of  the  coarsest  and  our  shelter  in 
cave  or  jungle  bush.  This  we  will  do,  for  the  woeful  cry 
of  life  has  come  unto  us,  and  our  souls  are  full  of  pity 
for  the  sickness  of  the  earth — which  we  will  heal  if  heal 
ing  may  be  found  by  uttermost  renouncing  and  strong 
strife.  Ye  speak  of  great  and  lessor  Gods.  We  have  not 
found  them  to  have  pity  or  power.  Who  has  seen  them 
— who?  What  have  they  wrought  to  help  their  worship 
ers.  How  has  it  aided  man  to  pray  and  offer  corn  and 
oil,  to  chant  the  charms,  to  slay  the  innocent  sacrifice,  to 
rear  temples,  to  feed  priests,  and  call  oti  lords,  and  names 
who  save  none,  not  the  worthiest.  The  babblings  of  flat 
tery  and  fear  ascend  day  by  day  like  wasted  smoke. 
Hath  any  of  my  brothers  escaped  thereby  the  aches  of 
life,  the  stings  of  love  and  loss,  the  fiery  fever,  and  the 
ague  shake,  and  the  slow,  dull  sinking  into  withered  age, 
the  horrible  dark  death,  and  what  beyond?  To  enter 
into  new  lives,  new  loves,  new  joys,  to  end  in  the  old 
mockeries?  Hath  any  of  my  tender  sisters  found  fruit 
of  fast,  or  harvest  of  hymn,  or  bought  one  pang  the  less 
at  bearing  time,  for  sighing  therefor?  Nay.  It  may  be 
that  some  Gods  be  good  and  some  evil,  but  all  are  pity 
or  powerless.  Me  thinks  that  once  life  began  to  run  its 


32  THE    TABLEAU. 

rounds  of  living,  climbing  up  from  molecule  to  mote, 
gnat,  worm,  reptile,  fish,  bird,  beast,  demon,  man,  angel, 
God  and  then  to  clod  and  molecule  again.  So  are  we  kin 
to  all  that  is.  Therefore  if  one  might  save  man  from  his 
curse,  the  whole  wide  world  would  share  the  lighting  of 
this  ignorance  whose  shadow  is  chill,  fear,  and  cruelty  its 
bitter  pastime.  Yea,  if  one  might  save,  should  he  not? 
Me  thinks  there  is  none  that  can,  and  yet  there  must  be 
means,  there  must  be  refuge.  Once  in  winter  blast  we 
perished  till  one  struck  fire  from  flint  stones,  coldly  hid 
ing  the  warm,  red  spark. 

"  We  gorged  on  flesh  like  wolves  till  one  sowed  corn 
which  grew  a  weed,  yet  makes  man's  life.  We  mowed 
and  babbled  till  speech  was  struck,  and  patient  fingers 
formed  the  lettered  sounds.  What  good  gifts  my  brothers 
have,  and  it  came  by  search  and  strife  and  sacrifice.  If 
we,  then  being  well  and  strong,  not  tired  of  life's  long  day 
but  glad  in  the  freshness  of  its  morning,  not  worn  and 
wrinkled,  who  ache  not,  lack  not,  grieve  not,  save  with 
grief  which  is  not  ours,  except  as  we  are  human.  If  we, 
having  so  much  to  work  with,  lay  it  down  for  the  love 
of  man  and  spend  ourselves  in  search"  of  truth,  bringing 
the  secret  of  deliverance  forth,  whether  it  lurks  in  hells 
or  hides  in  heavens,  or  hovers  unrevealed  nigh  unto  all, 
surely  at  last  far  off,  sometime,  somewhere,  the  veil  will 
lift  for  our  deep  searching  eyes,  the  way  will  open 
and  salvation  come  when  death  and  loss  and  pain  will 
find  us  conquerors.  & 

"This  will  we  do,  who  have  a  life  to  lose,  because  we 
love  our  life,  because  our  hearts  beat  with  each  throb  for 
all  the  hearts  that  ache,  known  and  unknown,  those  that 
are,  and  those  that  are  to  come,  a  thousand  million  more, 
which  shall  be  saved  by  this  sacrifice  which  we  now 
enter  upon."  Thus  spake  Reason  to  the  fearful  listeners, 


THE    TABLEAU.  33 

when  he  had  finished,  Humanity  took  the  word  and 
went  on:  "Oh  summoning  tears,  we  come,  oh  mournful 
earth,  for  thee  and  thine  we  lay  aside  our  ease,  our  friends, 
our  joys,  our  golden  days  arid  happy  homes.  And  thine 
arms,  sweet  mother,  harder  to  put  aside  than  all  the  rest, 
yet  thee  too  we  shall  save,  saving  the  earth,  and  that 
which  stirs  within  thy  tender  womb,  thy  children,  the 
hidden  blossoms  of  our  love,  whom  if  we  wait  to  cheer 
we  shall  not  win.  Father,  mother,  babes  and  friends,  ye 
must  share  a  little  while  the  anguish  of  this  hour  that 
light  may  break  and  all  flesh  may  learn  the  law.  Now 
am  I  ready  and  now  we  will  depart  never  to  come  again 
till  what  we  seek  be  found,  if  fervent  search  and  strife 
avail."  Then  said  the  mother:  "But  grieve  ye  not  to 
leave  your  friends  and  neighbors  thus."  "  Pleasant  ye 
are  to  us,"  said  Reason,  "  and  dear  to  leave,  yet  if  we 
leave  you  not,  what  else  will  come  to  all  of  us  but  loss 
without  restoration,  and  death  without  avail,  lo,  as  ye  lay 
to  sleep  so  must  ye  lay  to  die,  and  when  the  rose  dies, 
where  is  gone  its  scent  and  splendor?  When  a  lamp  is 
drained  whither  is  fled  the  flame?  Therefore,  farewell 
friends,  while  life  and  ease  is  sweet  we  go  to  seek  it  in 
abundance,  in  regions  now  unknown,  farewell." 

Then  Reason  took  his  companion  by  the  hand  and 
went  forth  from  the  city  of  their  childhood  into  regions 
unknown. e.  As  they  neared  the  city  gates  they  were  ac 
costed  by  one  Patriot,  who  spake  thus:  "Alas!  Dear 
friends,  spake  then  for  naught  those  wise  and  holy  men 
who  bade  us  wait  the  time  when  God's  great  son  should 
rule  and  be  a  lord  of  lords.  Will  ye  walk  thus  into 
darkness,  will  ye  go  forth  into  the  friendless  waste,  that 
have  a  paradise  of  pleasure  here?"  Then  answered  Reason: 
"  Unto  this  we  have  come.  The  earth  has  waited  long 
in  vain,  no  God  or  Son  has  yet  appeared.  All  things  pass 


34  THE   TABLEAU.        f 

in  change  and  death.     We  shall  wait  no  longer  but  seek 
for  deliverance,  perchance  it  might  be  found." 

"  Good  man,"  spake  again  the  Patriot,  "bethink  thee  of 
those  whom  thou  lovest,  bethink  thee  of  those  whose  bliss 
thou  art.  How  shalt  thou  help  them  by  undoing  them?" 

Reason  answered:  "  Friend,  that  love  is  false  which 
elings  to  love  for  selfish  sweets  of  love,  but  we,  who  love 
them  more  than  joys  of  ours,  yea,  more  than  joy  of 
friends,  depart  to  save  them,  and  all  flesh,  if  utmost  love 
avail.  Go  let  us  strive  for  salvation,  let  us  make  known 
the  unknown  and  unveil  the  secrets  which  are.  Lo!  If 
we  conquer  we  shall  return  to  lead  them  into  the  state  for 
which  all  flesh  sigheth.  Since  there  is  hope  only  for  life 
in  life,  and  since  life  alone  can  sustain  life,  and  as  we 
shall  seek  as  none  have  sought,  therefore,  bring  to  our 
friends  our  love  and  let  us  go  in  peace."  Then  Patriot 
departed  and  the  wanderers  went  their  way  and  stopped 
not  until  the  city  lay  far  behind.  Then  they  halted  to 
®ast  their  last  look  over  the  land  of  their  childhood  and 
birth.  As  Humanity  lifted  her  eyes  and  beheld  the  land 
of  death  with  all  its  misery,  she  wept  and  said:  "  Take 
me  away  from  here,  Reason,  I  cannot  bear  the  emotions 
which  arise  in  me.  Take  me  where  you  please,  so  it  be 
away  from  this  place  of  dissolution." 

"  Have  peace,  my  dear,"  said  Reason,  "Give  me  thine 
hand,  look  up  and  have  courage,  there  is  comfort  in  the 
land  of  Science,  and  when  we  once  get  there,  we  shall 
journey  with  more  ease,  but  until  then  we  shall  have  to 
contend  with  the  errors  of  religion  and  ignorance,  therefore 
have  courage  and  remember  thy  reward."  Saying  this, 
Reason  tightened  his  hold  on  her  hand,  and  they  went 
forth  for  the  state  of  bliss.  As  they  passed  along  the 
highway  through  the  suburb's  of  Paganism  many  pitiful 
sights  they  saw.  Here  lived  such  as  hold  the  flesh,  the 


THE    TABLEAU.  OJ 

foe  of  the  soul,  wherefore  with  bitter  pain  they  torture, 
burn  and  slash  their  bodies  woefully  until  the  sense  of 
pain  is  felt  no  more.  Gaunt  and  mournful  bands,  pleas 
ing  the  Gods  by  sacrifices.  Some  standing  for  days  and 
nights  with  lifted  arms  till  drained  of  blood  and  stiff  and 
stark  like  withered  limbs  of  trees.  Others  had  clinched 
their  hands  till  the  claw-like  nails  grew  through  the  palms. 
Some  walked  on  spiked  sandals,  some  were  gashed  on 
breast  and  brow  and  threaded  their  flesh  with  thorns  and 
splits,  besmeared  themselves  with  mud  and  ashes,  clothed 
in  dead  men's  rags,  trinkets  of  sculls  and  living  amidst 
the  graves.  A  thousand  times  in  the  heat  of  the  day 
they  cried  unto  the  Gods— their  crowns  blistered,  their 
eyes  dimmed,  their  visages  haggard  and  wan  like  dead 
men.  Here  crouched  one  in  the  dust,  throwing  it  over 
his  head  and  in  his  face,  there  one  who  bruised  his 
arms  with  winding  cords  till  blood  seemed  to  burst 
out,  and  next  a  miserable  saint,  self-maimed,  eyeless  and 
crippled  on  arms  and  legs.  To  this  chief  of  woebegones 
Reason  turned  and  said:  ^ 

'"Why,  my  brother,  dost  thou  so  piteously  disfigure 
thyself  and  add  such  evils  to  thy  life?  " 

Then  answered  Jie:  'k '  Tis  written,  if  man  shall  mor 
tify  his  flesh  he  thereby  purges  sin  and  dross  away,  and 
the  soul  purified  thus  shall  soar  from  the  furnace  of  sor 
row  winged  for  glorious  spheres  and  splendor  past  all 
thought." 

"  My  brother,  thou  knowest  well  that  after  night  comes 
day,  and  after  day  comes  night,  that  after  riot  comes 
peace,  and  after  peace  comes  riot,  that  after  pain  comes 
joy,  and  after  joy  comes  pain.  When  you  buy  your 
heaven  with  blood  you  are  no  more  secure  from  loss  than 
he  who  buys  it  in  joy.  The  wheel  goes  round,  the  toil 
begins  again." 


36  THE    TABLEAU. 

f. 

"It  may  begin,"  the  hermit  said.  "We  hate  this  accurs 
ed  flesh  which  clogs  the  soul  that  would  rise,  so  for  the 
sake  of  the  soul  we  endure  brief  agonies  to  please  the  Gods 
and  thereby  gain  the  larger  joy." 

"Will  ye  for  the  love  of  soul,  and  gains  which  are  but 
dreams,  so  loathe  your  flesh,  so  scourge  and  maim  it  that 
it  cannot  serve  to  bear  the  spirit  on?  Will  ye  destroy 
the  fair  house  which  has  come  to  us  by  painful  pasts  in 
which  are  lodged  the  guards  which  lead  and  light  upoti 
the  winding  stormy  way  into  a  better  land?" 

Then  he  cried:  "I  have  chosen  my  way  and  shall 
tread  it  to  the  end,  though  all  its  stones  were  fiery  coals. 
I  trust  in  God  and  am  satisfied.  If  thou  art  wiser  than 
the  Gods,  then  speak,  if  net,  then  go  thy  way  in  peace." 

So  they  passed  on  in  sadness,  seeing  how  these  men 
fear  so  to  die  and  lust  so  to  live,  and  how  they  consider 
their  lust  an  offence  to  the  Gods  and  by  fierce  penances 
like  to  please  them  who  begrudge  pleasure  to  man, 
suffer  self-kindled  hells  in  holy  madness,  hoping  thereby 
to  win  dreams  of  joy  for  the  soul.  As  they  walked  Hu 
manity  plucked  a  flower  by  the  wayside  and  said:  "  Oh, 
flowers  of  the  field  who  turn  your  tender  petals  to  the 
sun,  glad  of  the  light,  and  grateful  for  the  sweet  perfume, 
and  robes  of  silver,  gold  and  purple,  none  of  you  destroy 
your  peaceful  living,  none  of  you  despoil  your  happy 
beauty.  And  ye  palms  which  rise  so  proudly  to  the  skies 
and  drink  the  wind  blown  from  the  cool,  blue  sea,  ye  are 
content  from  time  of  shoot  to  time  of  fruit.  Then  you 
singing  tribes  in  your  feathered  gowns,  ye  too,  who  dwell 
so  merrily  in  the  trees,  quick  darting  torn-tit,  gentle 
robin,  and  ye  cooing  doves,  none  of  ye  hate  your  life, 
none  of  ye  grow  better  by  foregoing  needs.  But  man  who 
slays  ye,  who  is  lord  and  wise,  and  master  of  the  earth 
and  sky,  yea,  are  great  as  Gods,  come  unto  fools  and  self 
tormentings." 


ISRAEL. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

>HEY  then  went  on  until  they  came  to  the  land  of 
Israel.  Passing  along  the  side  of  a  mountain, 
they  saw  below  them  a  great  multitude  of  people 
and  a  great  shout  arose  as  that  of  a  victory,  also 
was  there  a  great  stir  among  them  as  of  great  joy. 
As  they  looked  upon  the  scene,  they  espied  one  afar  off 
coming  towards  them.  Now,  when  the  man  was  come 
before  them,  Reason  called  aloud,  "Ho!  Ho!  my  brother, 
stay,  that  I  may  speak  to  thee,"  but  he  only  looked 
about  and  went  on.  Then  Reason  called  again,  after 
which  he  said,  "No,  I  cannot,  my  life  is  upon  my  errand 
and  delay  is  my  death."  At  this  Reason  was  astonished 
and  said  to  his  companion,  "Stay  thbu  that  I  may  inves 
tigate  this  thing."  Then  Reason  quickened  his  pace  and 
followed.  The  man  perceiving  that  he  was  pursued 
put  forth  all  his  strength  to  escape,  but  found  Reason  too 
much  for  him,  therefore  he  stood  still  and  turned  unto 
him  saying  :  "Good  man,  thou  knowest  not  that  thou 
walkest  into  the  mouth  of  death,  not  only  wilt  thou  en 
danger  thyself  but  also  me.  I  beg  thee,  therefore,  to  go 
back  and  go  thy  way  in  peace." 

Then  said  Reason,  "If  it  be  so  dangerous  as  thou  sayst, 
then  there  must  be  evil  in  connection  with  thy  errand, 
therefore  I  shall  not  let  thee  out  of  mine  eyesight  until  I 
know  thy  secret,  for  it  is  not  good  to  let  evil  doers  undis 
turbed  in  their  evil  ways." 

"I  pray  thee,  sir,  let  me  go  on,  I  shall  surely  die,"  said 
the  man.  "No,"  said  Reason,  "but  I  will  make  thee  a 


38  THE    TABLEAU. 

proposition.  Go  thou  upon  thy  errand  and  return  to  me 
yonder  where  I  first  called  to  thee  where  my  companion 
is,  promise  this,  and  give  me  thy  ring  and  breast 
plate  as  a  token,  then  tell  me  thy  errand  and  I  shall  be 
satisfied  and  no  harm  shall  come  to  thee." 

"It  is  a  great  thing  which  thou  demandest,  I  cannot 
come  in  thy  presence  yonder,  but  if  ye  will  meet  me  on 
the  foothill,  eastward  of  this  mountain,  I  shall  promise  to 
do  as  thou  dost  wish." 

"Give  me  the  tokens  and  go  thy  way.  We  shall  wait 
for  thee  on  the  hill." 

Then  the  man  gave  his  ring  and  plate  to  Reason  and 
departed  towards  the  top  of  the  mount.  Reason  went 
back  to  where  he  had  left  Humanity  and  told  her  of  his 
adventure.  They  then  went  for  the  hill  and  awaited  the 
stranger,  who  was  not  long  in  making  his  appearance. 

"Ah,  good  people,"  he  said  as  he  seated  himself  upon  a 
ledge  of  rock,  "would  that  I  were  dead  that  I  might  escape 
the  heat  of  this  my  life."  / 

"Be  not  disheartened,  my  brother,  but  have  courage  to 
overcome  life's  heat  and  strife,"  consoled  Reason. 

"Ah,  thou  knowest  not  my  life  or  thou  wouldst  not 
speak  so.  It  is  said  the  courage  of  the  evil  doer  faiieth 
and  his  peace  fleeth  as  the  giving  up  of  a  ghost.  I  know 
this  to  be  truth." 

"There  is  another  truth  which  I  know,"  said  Reason 
"It  is  this  :  'If  thou  prepare  thy  heart  and  put  away  evil 
doing,  then  shall  thy  misery  flow  away  as  the  waters  and 
shall  be  seen  no  more.  Thou  shalt  become  steadfast  and 
have  no  fear,  but  hope  and  peace  and  rest.' " — Bible. 

"Would  that  I  had  never  put  my  hand  to  the  plow  and 
kept  them  clean  from  the  work  of  deceivers,  but  I  must 
once  more  take  a  step  farther  into  the  darkness  in   orde 
to  redeem  my  tokens  and  do  as  I  made  promise." 


THE   TABLEAU.  tf 

"My  Brother,"  entreated  Humanity,  "tell  us  thy 
troubles,  tell  us  thy  secrets  and  thy  life,  that  we  may 
give  thee  counsel  and  ease  thee,  tell  us  of  thy  errand  on 
the  mount." 

"Good  woman,  to  tell  my  secrets  is  an  act  which,  if  it 
became  known,  would  be  certain  death,  but  if  ye  will  not 
condemn  me  and  have  pity  on  one  that  was  cruelly  mis 
led  to  do  many  evil  things,  I  shall  share  with  you  my 
secrete." 

"There  shall  come  no  harm  to  my  Brother,"  said  Rea 
son.  "It  is  far  from  us  to  condemn  thee  for  being  led 
astray?  Who  art  thou,  and  what  is  thy  occupation?" 

"Listen,"  he  said,  "to  the  history  of  me  and  of  my 
people  " 

"My  name  is  Joshua  and  I  belong  to  a  band  of  secret 
servants  ministering  for  Moses  and  Aaron,  the  leaders  of 
the  Children  of  Israel,  so  called  because  they  are  descen 
dants  of  a  man  by  that  name. 

"Israel  had  twelve  sons,  the  youngest  of  which  he  loved 
most,  and  made  him  a  coat  of  many  colors.  This  caused 
his  brothers  to  become  jealous  and  they  deceived  their 
father  and  sold  their  brother  to  slave  traders  who  took 
him  to  Egypt.  There  he  became  famous  for  his  clever 
ness  and  managed  to  become  quarter  master.  After  some 
time  there  came  a  famine  in  the  land  of  Israel,  and  they 
went  to  Egypt  for  corn,  for  owing  to  the  overflowing  of 
the  stream  in  Egypt,  the  drought  did  not  effect  that  land. 

"Now,  when  the  sons  of  Israel  came  into  Egypt,  they 
found  their  brother  whom  they  had  sold,  who  invited 
them  to  bring  all  they  had  into  Egypt,  which  they  did. 
Now,  in  the  course  of  time,  these  sons,  owing  to  the  high 
standing*of  their  brother  Joseph  with  King  Pharaoh, 
multiplied  and  became  an  immense  number  so  that  the 
Egyptians  feared  that  they  might  rise  and  overtnrow 


40  THE    TABLEAU. 

the  nation,  and  they  began  to  oppress  them  with  hard 
labor  and  the  killing  of  infants.  Many  of  the  children 
at  the  time  of  my  birth  suffered  death,  only  a  few  were 
left  that  they  might  become  men. 

"  In  this  time  was  also  born  one  Moses.  His  mother 
being  of  a  clever  disposition  of  mind,  saved  him  from  the 
sword  by  hiding  him  among  the  reeds  along  the  bank  of 
the  river  Nile. 

"  One  day  the  daughter  of  the  king  went  bathing  in  the 
Nile  at  the  place  where  the  babe  Moses  was  hid.  The 
princess  found  him  and  wanted  him  as  her  child.  Thus 
he  was  brought  to  the  King's  palace.  There  he  was 
trained  in  all  the  knowledge  of  Egypt.  On  learning  his 
connection  with  the  Israelites,  he  began  to  hate  the 
Egyptians.  One  day  he  saw  an  Egyptian  smiting  an 
Israelite,  whereon  he  went  and  smote  the  Egyptian  and 
buried  him  in  the  sand- 

"  Soon  after  this  he  came  before  the  King  and  he  sought 
to  bring  him  to  judgment,  but  Moses  fled  into  the  land  of 
Midian  where  he  engaged  himself  as  a  shepherd,  but 
spent  most  of  his  time  scouting,  locating  trails  and 
springs,  for  he  had  planned  to  lead  the  Israelites  out  of 
bondage. 

4'After  the  King  had  died,  and  those  who  knew  of  his 
killing  the  Egyptian,  he  returned  to  Egypt  to  lead  out 
the  Israelites  into  the  land  which,  as  the  saying  goes, 
God  had  promised  to  their  fathers,  the  land  of  Canaan. 

"The  mentioning  of  God  and  the  promise  of  Canaan 
was  once  my  joy  and  pleasure,  but  now  there  is  neither 
God  or  promise  of  God  in  connection  with  these  things 
which  ye  shall  directly  be  convinced  of.  As  I  said  Moses 
had  planned  to  lead  the  Israelites  out  of  Egypt,  but  how? 
He  knew  there  were  only  a  few  men  that  were  of  any 
value  for  defense,  the  others  being  all  old  men  and  women, 


THE    TABLEAU.  41 

therefore  he  said  :  There  are  two  ways  of  doing  a  thing, 
one  by  main  strength  and  another  by  craft."  The  latter 
his  choice.  So  he  took  his  brother  into  his  confidence 
and  selected  a  band  of  secret  workers  to  which  I  now 
belong.  Then  he  employed  the  popular  theme  :  The  God 
of  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  had  commanded  as  he  said. 
It  was  with  me,  as  I  said  before,  and  all  the  Israelites,  a 
sacred  theme,  for  we  considered  that  if  a  man  fared  well 
in  earthly  things  and  gathered  riches  and  honor,  as  our 
fathers  did,  and  also  as  Moses  did,  that  the  Gods  were  with 
such  men  and  Jed  them  to  success.  Now  we  said  among 
ourselves  that  God  was  with  Moses,  that  he  had  saved 
him  and  prepared  him  to  redeem  his  people.  Therefore 
we  obeyed  in  everything  Moses  commanded,  .  Death  was 
the  penalty  for  disobedience  or  revealing  any  of  the  works 
which  were  done  in  secret;  therefore,  I  said,  if  my  present 
act  became  known  I  should  surely  die.  After  we  were 
thus  organized,  Moses  and  Aaron  went  before  the  king 
and  sought  to  persuade  him  to  release  the  people.  They 
said :  l  Thus  saith  the  God  of  Israel  :  Let  my  people  go 
that  they  may  serve  me.'  "  To  convince  the  king  of  their 
godly  mission,  Moses  played  the  sorcerer,  for  he  was  an 
expert  in  all  sorcery.  But  the  God  scheme  was  a  failure 
with  the  Egyptians.'  He  tried  many  ways  to  frighten 
the  king,  but  all  talking  and  wonder  working  was  in  vain. 
Then  he  was  somewhat  discouraged,  but  soon  he  had 
invented  another  scheme  to  make  known,  as  he  said,  the 
powers  of  God.  It  was  this  :  He  prepared  a  quantity  of 
poison  and  left  it  in  charge  of  myself  and  several  others 
with  instructions  to  wait  for  further  orders,  i  He  then 
went  to  the  king  and  said  :  'The  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac 
and  Jacob,  has  appeared  to  me  and  said  :  'Let  my  people 
go  that  they  may  serve  me.  Dost  thou  this  not,  then 
shall  your  streams  be  poisbned,  and  shall  die  all  living 


42  THE    TABLEAU. 

things  therein."  But  the  king  only  rnoeked  him  and 
would  not  listen.  Then  we  got  orders  to  travel  upstream 
several  days,  and  dump  into  it  the  poison,  which  we  did. 
This  poison  caused  not  only  aJl  the  fish  to  die,  but  all 
animals  and  insects  to  forsake  the  stream  and  therefore 
it  came  about  that  frogs  and  lice  were  over  all  Egypt. 
When  the  effect  of  the  poison  was  reported,  Moses  and 
Aaron  engaged  themselves  in  proclaiming  to  both  people 
and  the  king,  the  works  of  the  Gods.  They  not  only  re- 
enforced  their  authority  by  using  this  God  scheme  but 
also  saved  themselves  from  suspicion,  for,  if  it  be  the 
Gods  that  act,  men  are  innocent.  After  the  fish  and  rep 
tiles  lay  dead  along  the  shores  some  time,  they  began  to 
decay,  and  caused  disease  and  pestilence.  The  immense 
quantity  of  foul  air  and  gas  formulated  by  this  decay 
caused  also  the  air  to  become  gloomy.  The  heat  became 
intense.  Ah!  it  was  a  terrible  time.  The  heated  air  as 
cended  and  the  surrounding  air  from  the  mountains  came 
with  a  terrible  force,  gathered  the  vapor  and  gas  which 
was  in  the  skies,  and  darkened  them,  and  a  terrible  storm 
bursted  upon  the  land,  which  made  the  strongest  of  us 
quake.  This  we  did  not  expect,  but  Moses  said  it  was 
good  and  said  it  was  the  Gods  that  done  it,  and  all  the 
people  believed  it  but  the  king,  he  said  it  was  a  natural 
phenomena,  and  could  not  be  moved.  Then  Moses  was 
enraged  and  said  to  Aaron,  "  proclaim  to  the  people  to 
prepare  themselves  for  a  journey  tomorrow  night.  Let 
them  gather  their  flocks  and  borrow  all  they  can  from 
the  Egyptians,  gold,  silver,  jewels,  cloth  and  food,  for  to 
morrow  night  we  shall  move  outwards  or  die."  After 
Aaron  had  performed  his  proclamation,  they  went  to  the 
king  and  said:  "Behold  thus  saith  the  God  of  the  Israel 
ites  let  my  people  go  that  they  may  serve  me.  Dost  thou 
this  not,  then  shall  the  angel  of  the  Lord  slay  all  first- 


THE    TABLEAU.  43 

born,  both  of  man  and  beast  tomorrow  night.  For  this 
purpose  we  were  furnished  with  imposing  gowns  and 
swords,  and  each  of  the  secret  workers  were  stationed  in 
a  certain  district,  and  on  an  appointed  time,  we  were  to 
begin  to  slay  as  many  as  possible  for  a  certain  length  of 
time.  Ah!  It  breaks  my  heart  to  think  of  that  terrible 
night.  The  king  could  not  be  moved  and  the  work  had 
to  be  done.  The  appointed  time  came  and  the  work  was 
begun,  and  immediately  there  arose  a  mighty  panic 
among  the  Egyptians.  That  the  Gods  were  to  kill  in  the 
night  was  rumored  throughout  the  district,  but  the 
Egyptians  considered  all  proceeding  incidents  as  natural 
phenomena  and  believed  not  the  proclamation  which  had 
been  made  until  we  began  our  work.  Then  arose  a  cry 
which  words  cannot  explain.  After  we  had  finished  the 
time,  we  cast  off  our  gowns  and  joined  Moses  and  the 
people  who  were  moving  outwards.  Moses  thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  land  and  way,  led,  and  six  hundred 
thousand  men  without  women  and  children  followed.  In 
the  confusion  caused  by  the  sudden  death  of  so  many, 
we  had  opportunity  to  go  without  being  troubled.  But  a, 
few  days  afterwards  we  saw  the  Egyptians  pursuing  us, 
and  a  great  fear  came  over  us,  when  we  found  that  we 
led  directly  towards  a  large  body  of  water.  Then  the 
men  of  Israel  murmured  and  threatened  to  slay  Moses 
and  Aaron  for  bringing  them  out  of  Egypt  into  death. 
But  Moses  reminded  them  of  the  Gods  and  what  they 
had  done,  and  that  they  would  not  be  forsaken,  for  the 
God  of  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  had  appeared  to  him 
and  said,  take  thy  staff  and  strike  the  water  and  I  will 
part  them.  Now  the  body  of  water  was  a  gulf  ex 
tending  many  miles  into  the  land,  but  became  dry  at  low 
tide  where  Moses  was  leading  to.  Moses  had  crossed 
there  several  times  before  and  knew  what  he  was  talkinsr 


44  THE    TABLEAU. 

about.  When  we  came  up  to  the  water,  Moses  bade  that 
we  should  all  rest.  Now  when  the  time  of  the  falling  of 
the  tide  came,  Moses  called  in  a  loud  voice:  '  Behold  the 
wonder  of  the  Lord,'  then  he  took  his  staff,  struck  the 
waters  and  immediately  they  fell  before  the  eys  of  all 
Israel,  and  we  went  through.  The  Egyptians,  because  of 
©ur  standstill  had  come  close  unto  us,  and  entered  the 
gulf  as  we  left  it,  but  before  they  got  over  half  way,  the 
tide  returned  and  they  were  drowned. 

"Thus,  Moses  delivered  Israel  from  bondage  by  schemes 
of  deception  and  works  of  darkness,  in  which  works  I 
myself  was  a  chief  participant,  and  now  Israel  is  in  camp 
at  the  foot  of  yon  mountain.  What  think  ye  of  me  now?" 

Then  said  Reason:  "My  brother,  if  thy  story  be  true, 
thou  needst  not  trouble  thyself,  for  neither  thou  nor  thy 
co-workers  have  committed  crime.  Moses  is  a  noble  man 
and  doing  a  good  work.  It  becometh  man  to  overcome 
his  oppressor.  A  man  or  nation  which  allows  itself  to  be 
imposed  upon,  bears  and  diffuses  tyranny.  Moses  is  a 
wise  man,  the  Israelites  very  foolish.  Moses  took  advan 
tage  of  their  ignorance  for  their  own  good.  He  loved 
them.  .Their  hardships  and  miseri  filled  him  with  a 
passion  to  help  them  out  of  their  I  idage.  For  many 
years  he  was  troubled  and  sought  a  way  to  save  them. 
The  task  ware  far  from  being  an  easy  one.  The  Egyptians 
were  strong  and  wise;  the  israelites  were  weak  and  fool 
ish.  To  have  employed  physical  power  to  enforce  free- 
doom  would  have  been  insane.  Intelligence  was  the  only 
way,  ?  Moses  gave  ample  warning  before  he  resorted  to 
bloodshed.  It  was  his  last  resource,  and  he  shed  blood 
sparingly,  taking  in  consideration  the  greatness  of  the 
work  in  which  he  engaged.  In  relation  to  the  God 
scheme  and  secret  workers — It  is  better  to  decoy  an  ass 
into  shelter  wiili  an  empty  dish,  than  to  let  him  freeze  in 


THE    TABLEAU.  45 

the  winter's  blast.  Ye  were  the  dish,  the  Gods  were  the 
corn.  It  was  not  there.  Moses  was  the  well-wisher. 
The  Israelites  saw  the  dish  and  believed  there  was  corn 
in  it.  Therefore  they  followed.  Ye  have  done  no  evil. 
But  what  of  thy  errand  from  which  thou  hast  now 
returned,  on  the  mountain."  "  On  yon  mountain,  Moses 
has  a  secret  camp  in  which  he  spends  much  time  writing 
down  laws  and  statutes  for  the  people.  Also  it  is  a  sta 
tion  from  which  the  secret  workers  are  send  forth  to 
explore  the  land  and  locate  sources  of  food  and  water. 
Of  these  parties  I  am  chief,  and  on  our  last  return,  I 
looked  from  the  mount  into  the  camp  of  the  Israelites 
and  beheld  great  noise  as  that  of  a  jubilee.  I  was  amased 
and  did  not  know  what  it  meant,  and  went  down  on  the 
roundabout  way  and  consulted  with  Aaron  who  was  in 
charge  of  the  camp,  of  the  uproar.  He  said  the  men  of 
Israel  had  become  unruly  and  demanded  of  him  to  show 
them  the  God.  He  said  they  threatened  to  destroy  him, 
and  as  he  knew  not  what  to  do,  he  moulded  a  golden  calf 
and.  presented  it  to  them,  as  the  God  who  had  led  them 
out  of  Egypt,  and  they  believed  it,  therefore  the  uproar. 
On  learning  this,  I  immediately  went  to  inform  Moses 
of  the  circumstances,  therefore  my  haste  and  the  import 
ance  of  my  errand.  After  I  had  left  the  camp,  I  took  a 
short  cut  up  the  mountain,  which  is  forbidden  by  Moses, 
for  he  makes  the  Israelites  believe  he  is  on  the  mount 
alone,  consulting  with  God  and  receiving  the  laws  and 
statutes  from  him.  Ye  can  now  see  Moses  pass  down 
the  mount.  He  has  with  him  stone  tables  which  he  had 
made  and  inscribed  there  on  what  he  calls,  the  Ten  Com 
mandments.  Now,  if  ye  will  return  my  tokens,  I  shall 
be  off,  for  I  must  be  in  camp,  on  duty,  when  Moses  gets 
there.  If  ye  say  it  is  a  good  work  in  which  we  are 
engaged,  I  shall  put  my  whole  heart  in  it,  and  work 
with  a  will." 


4ft  THE    TABLEAU. 

"  Brother,  there  is  nothing  grander  than  to  work  for 
the  salvation  of  man,  nothing  nobler  than  to  bring  the 
bond  to  freedom,  be  it  by  power  or  by  craft.  While  ye 
aot  in  defense  of  life  and  freedom,  ye  commit  no  evil,  but 
when  ye  act  in  ease,  to  torture  the  weak  and  unfortunate, 
ye  deserve  to  be  overthrown  and  done  to  as  ye  did  to  the 
Egyptians.  All  the  world  cries  with  the  oppressed  and 
rejoices  over  their  redemption;  so  all  the  world  hates  the 
oppressor  and  rejoices  over  his  fall.  Remember  Joshua, 
if  it  is  a  battle  for  life  and  the  means  of  living,  it  be 
comes  men  to  fight  and  throw  off'  the  oppressor.  More 
over,  it  becometh  man  to  enter  into  power  and  overcome 
all  enemies  and  live  in  repose,  but  it  is  well  to  make 
peace  before  retiring,  lest  the  enemy  fall  upon  him  and 
destroy  him  and  all  he  has. 

"  Ye  are  now  on  the  upward  way,  take  heed,  shed  no 
blood  and  make  no  enemies,  otherwise  than  in  defending 
life  and  freedom,  lest  ye  become  like  unto  the  Egyptians, 
and  come  to  ruin.  Take  now  thy  tokens  and  go  thy  way 
in  peace."  - 


1  ••'  v  E 


JERUSALEM. 


CHAPTER  V. 

'HEN  Joshua  had  departed,  the  wanderers  entered 
further  into  Israel  and  as  they  walked  in  the 
valley,  there  came  a  cloud  of  dust  from  the 
mountain  side  under  which  came  forth  herds 
men  and  their  flocks  of  sheep.  With  many  a  nibble  at 
the  tufts  of  grass  by  the  wayside,  the  lambs  lingered  and 
caused  the  voices  of  the  herdsmen  to  re-echo  from  the 
neighboring  hills,  or  to  whirl  their  slings,  shooting  peb 
bles  which  kept  the  woolly  wave  moving  along . 

Humanity,  observing  a  poor  crippled  lamb  limping  be 
hind,  and  the  fearful  mother  running  hither  and  thither 
with  grief,  lest  the  little  one  should  be  lost,  took  it  up  in 
her  arms,  saying  :  "  Poor  wooly  mother,  be  at  peace.  I 
will  bear  thy  care  whither  thou  goest.  Thee  too,  the 
pangs  of  love  and  loss  and  chilly  fear  do  pierce.  Thee 
too,  and  this  thy  innocent  child,  I  love  and  pity.  Thee 
too,  to  save  from  life's  sore  burden,  we  tread  the  desert 
and  the  plain  in  search  of  healing,  if  healing  may  be 
found.  Thou  art  poor  as  we  are  poor,  and  all  the  poor 
are  piteous  to  the  poor." 

Then  asked  she  of  the  herdsmen:  "Friends,  whither 
drive  ye  the  flock  under  high  noon,  since  'tis  at  evening 
when  flocks  are  folded  ?  " 

"We  are  sent,"  said  one,  "to  bring  into  the  city  a  sac 
rifice  of  sheep,  which  the  priests  slay  in  worship  of  God." 

/*  We  will  also  go  and  see  the  worship,"  said  Humanity, 
so  they  went  with  the  herdsmen  in  the  sun  and  dust, 
Humanity  bearing  the  lamb,  and  the  wistful  mother  fol- 


48  THE    TABLEAU. 

lowing  with  low  bleatings  her  footsteps.  When  they 
had  gone  in  silence  sometime,  Reason  spake,  saying : 
"As  these  dumb  beast  go  bleating  blindly  toward  the 
knife  of  death  wielded  by  foolish  priests,  so  goes  all  flesh 
bleating  towards  the  knife  of  death  wielded  by  the  arm 
of  change,  or  by  the  Gods  as  priests  would  say,  in  wor 
ship  of  the  higher  Gods,  or  for  to  still  their  lust  for  blood 
and  for  destruction."  They  were  now  entering  the  city 
and  were  compassed  by  the  gate-keeper  of  their  whence 
and  what  about.  After  relating  to  him  their  mission,  he 
said:  "Go  in  peace."  They  then  followed  the  herdsmen 
to  the  folding  place,  and  when  Humanity  returned  from 
the  fold,  she  was  confronted  by  Jeroboam,  a  servant  of 
the  king,  who  conversed  with  her  and  inquired  of  her 
name  and  concern,  and  when  he  had  heard  them  he  wel 
comed  them,  and  invited  them  into  his  house.  Jeroboam 
dwelt  with  his  mother  who  was  a  widow,  in  a  roomy  and 
elegant  mansion,  close  to  the  king's  palace.  Here  they 
were  received  with  kindness  and  complaisance.  The 
mother,  like  the  son,  was  of  a  graceful  disposition  and 
entreated  the  visitors  to  the  best  in  store.  After  having 
taken  refreshments,  Jeroboam  excused  himself,  as  he  had 
much  to  attend  to,  but  promised  to  return  ere  long  and 
escort  them  into  the  king's  palace,  and  through  the  tem 
ple  and  about  the  city. 

In  the  meantime,  Reason  was  asked  to  entertain  him 
self  in  the  library,  while  Humanity  was  escorted  about 
the  house  and  gardens,  by  the  good  old  mother,  and  was 
shown  the  taste  of  the  women  of  Israel. 

When  Jeroboam  returned  he  found  Reason  deeply  in 
terested  in  a  parchment  roll  containing  the  laws  of  Moses. 
1  "And  did  you  entertain  yourself  pleasantly  in  the  law 
of  our  nation?"  he  asked. 


THE    TABLEAU.  49 

"  Most  pleasantly  indeed,  not  only  in  the  law,  but  also 
in  the  history,"  answered  Reason. 

"What  think  you  of  the  law  of  Moses?"  i:  quired 
Jeroboam,  further. 

"  I  think  they  are  an  ingenious  contrivance,  and  won 
derfully  adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  made. 
Moses  had  a  point  in  view  for  which  he  labored.  His 
authority  and  success  depended  on  skill  and  intelligence. 
They  are  full  of  craft,  deception  and  cruelty,  but  the  pur 
pose  for  which  they  were  intended  is  good.  Considering* 
the  time,  circumstances  and  purpose  for  which  they  were 
made,  they  could  not  have  been  made  more  effective  by 
any  man  alive  at  that  time.  But  now,  that  the  times  and 
circumstances  have  changed,  they  should  be  reformed. 
Moses  formed  them  to  deliver  men,  but  now,  they  are 
evil,  only^to  oppress,  and  put  men  in  bondage,  to  waste 
life  and  property,  to  fill  the  houses  of  the  priests  with 
treasures  which  belong  to  the  people.  In  short,  Moses 
used  the  name  of  God  that  he  might  deliver,  but  now 
it  is  used  to  oppress  and  frighten,  but  I  beg  a  thousand 
times  pardon  for  insulting  my  host  thus,  thou  art  a 
believer  in  the  name  of  God." 

"  Be  not  disturbed,  my  good  man,  thou  speakest  words 
of  wisdom,  which  I  have  sought  to  hear  from  my  youth. 
So  you  believe  not  in  the  name  of  God,  neither  in  com 
munication  between  God  and  man,  from  whence  thy  un 
belief?"  "Knowest  thou  the  secrets  of  Miracle?"  in 
quired  Jeroboam. 

"  Knowest  thou  not  the  secrets  of  Moses  and  Aaron," 
asked  Reason.  "  That  I  do,"  answered  the  other,  "  but 
dost  thou?" 

"  That  I  do  also,  therefore  my  unbelief.  But  how  com- 
est  thou  to  this  knowledge  ?  "  asked  Reason  again. 

"That  I  will  explain:  my  forefather  Joshn a  belonged 

D 


5^  THE   TABLEAU. 

to  the  band  of  secret  servants  which  Moses  employed  to 
work  his  wonders,  and  the  knowledge  of  these  things  is 
still  in  the  generation  and  the  secret  workers  are  still  in 
office.' 

Thus  the  two  men  conversed  when  they  were  interruptep 
by  the  mistress  of  the  house  with  a  summons  to  fulfill 
their  promise  of  sight-seeing.  They  were  then  led  into 
the  open  air  through  the  sceneries  of  Israel's  great  king. 
On  one  side  were  the  stables  from  which  came  the  neigh 
of  a  hundred  thousand  horses  and  stood  the  chariots  and 
the  men  of  war,  clad  with  helmets  and  armor  of  metal 
which  glittered  in  the  sunlight.  On  the  other  was  the 
king's  garden  sprinkled  with  silver  statues  and  golden 
fountains  and  interwoven  with  walks  belaid  with  precious 
stones.  Among  the  flowers  and  trees  sang  birds  from 
every  clime.  In  the  pavilions  were  shelves  of  relics  and 
rarities  in  endless  variety.  Soon  they  came  to  the  grea^ 
palace  in  which  was  the  throne  of  ivory,  banded  and  be 
laid  with  gold.  Then  they  were  shown  the  harps  and 
psalteries  of  the  singers  and  the  golden  utensils  with 
which  the  royal  family  was  served  food  and  drink.  They 
were  then  led  up  two  flights  of  stairs,  and  then  up  a 
shorter  one  which  landed  upon  a  belvidere  on  the 
housetop. 

<k  Be  pleased  to  look  upon  the  City  of  Israel,"  said 
their  host.  At  their  feet  lay  the  great  city.  Miles  of 
street  lined  with  fine  buildings  stretched  in  every  direc 
tion  till  they  struck  the  colossal  wall  with  which  the  city 
was  fenced.  Beyond  lay  the  hills  and  vales  of  Judea, 
eastward  the  Temple,  the  pride  of  Israel,  its  golden  walls 
shining  brighter  than  the  sun. 

After  spending  some  time  on  the  housetop,  Jeroboam 
informed  them  that  a  chariot  was  waiting  below  to  con 
vey  them  to  the  Temple,  whereon  they  went  down.  The 


THE    TABLEAU.  51 

ohariot  was  one  belonging  to  the  king,  and  was  overlaid 
with  gold  and  silver,  and  four  horses  were  attached  to  it. 
No  sooner  had  they  entered  when  they  were  going  at  a 
brisk  rate  through  the  city  streets,  and  up  to  Temple 
Heights.  They  soon  came  to  the  great  gates  in  the  wall 
which  surrounded  the  Temple,  and  entered  and  stood  be 
fore  the  magnificent  structure.  )Vhen  they  had  gained  a 
point  which  commanded  a  favorable  view,  Jeroboam  said: 
"  Behold  Solomon's  Temple,  gold  inside,  and  gold  outside, 
architecture,  mechanism  and  skill  unsurpassed."  They 
then  went  through  the  approachable  apartments  and  saw 
the  net  work  of  golden  chains,  the  golden  cherubim, 
lions,  oxen,  the  great  brazen  altar,  the  gold-plated  floors, 
the  walls  overhung  with  golden  pomegranates,  the  pillars, 
the  basins,  the  vessels,  the  chapiters  of  brass,  the  carved 
knobs  lined  with  gold,  the  candle  sticks  of  pure  gold,  five 
op  the  right  and  five  on  the  left  before  the  oracle  with  the 
flowers,  the  lamps  and  tongues  of  gold,  and  the  bowls, 
the  snuffers^  the  spoons  and  the  censors  of  pure  gold,  and 
hinges  of  gold,  both  for  the  inside  and  outside  doors  of  the 
house.  So  was  finished  the  great  Temple  of  Solomon, 
the  house  of  God. 

Reason  and  Humanity  were  much  pleased  with  the 
sight  of  the  Temple.  When  they  had  ended  their  course 
of  inspection,  they  returned  to  the  waiting  chariot  and 
were  taken  into  other  parts  and  scenes  of  the  city,  and 
not  until  the  sun  cast  the  house  shadows  far  away,  did 
they  return  to  the  abode  of  their  host.  During  the  after 
noon,  group  after  group  of  Israelites  entered  the  city  to 
participate  in  the  worship  of  the  morrow.  With  a  greet 
ing  of  welcome  and  an  invitation  to  his  house,  Jeroboam 
met  them,  and  soon  after  their  return  a  stream  of  peas 
ants  came  after  them  from  all  parts  of  the  land.  Every 
house  was  an  inn  where  all  were  welcomed  and  treated 


52  THE    TABLEAU. 

to  the  best  in  store,  for  with  this  simple  people  who  lived 
like  brothers  and  sisters  together,  all  things  were  held  in 
eommon  on  such  an  occasion  of  worship,  as  was  to  be  on 
the  morrow.  Yet  under  Jeroboam's  roof  hospitality 
seemed  more  abundant,  for  he  stood  in  great  esteem  be 
fore  all  Israel.  Bright  was  his  face  with  smiles,  and 
words  of  welcome  and  cheer  fell  from  his  lips  and  blessed 
the  cup  as  he  gave  it. 

When  the  shades  of  night  had  fallen,  the  large  hall  was 
lit  up,  and  the  cheerful  company  were  summoned  by  the 
strain  of  harp  and  cymbal,  and  soon  old  and  young  mer 
rily  whirled  the  wheels  of  the  dizzy  dances.  Humanity 
being  fond  of  mirth  and  music  took  part  in  the  amuse 
ment  and  forgot  for  once  the  woes  of  man.  Her  face 
beamed  with  gladness,  and  her  sweet  voice  mingled  in 
laughter  with  the  strains  of  music.  Meanwhile,  apart 
in  the  twilight  gloom  of  a  bay  window,  sat  Reason  and 
Jeroboam  in  earnest  conversation,  from  which  Gods 
might  have  learned  wisdom.  Thus  was  the  evening 
passed.  Much  too  soon  for  the  merry  dancers  came  the 
hour  of  rest,  and  with  regretful  means  the  guest's  sought 
their  chambers.  With  many  a  farewell  word,  and  sweet 
good  night,  Humanity  lingered  at  the  door  in  wait  for 
her  companion.  Soon  resounded  the  tread  of  the  men, 
and  linking  her  arm  to  Reason's  they  followed  their  host 
in  silence.  When  they  had  reached  the  chamber  reserved 
for  them,  Jeroboam  bid  them  a  good  night,  and  departed. 

When  they  were  alone,  Reason  said:  "And  how  didst 
thou  enjoy  thyself,  my  companion?" 

"Lovely,  lovely"  she  said,  "I  was  never  so  happy. 
This  is  a  beautiful  city,  and  a  goodly  people,  and  I  have 
made  up  my  mind  to  stay  here,  for  here  is  abundance  of 
pleasure  and  abundance  of  wealth  for  all.  Here  is  the 
seat  of  peace  and  wisdom." 


THE   TABLEAU.  53 

Reason  made  no  answer.  With  a  feeling  of  sadness 
passing  through  his  soul,  he  stood  at  the  window  looking 
into  the  night. 

The  great  and  charming  city  lay  before  him  in  the 
light  of  the  moon.  To  his  right  lay  the  king's  palace 
and  to  his  left  the  Temple  which  reflected  and  created  a 
thousand  smaller  moons.  The  regular  breathing  of  his 
companion  soon  announced  that  she  was  in  dreamland. 
He  turned  toward  her,  the  mellow  moonlight  shone  into 
the  room.  As  he  gazed  upon  the  dear  face  of  his  com 
panion  his  heart  swelie'd  like  the  tremulous  tides  of  the 
ocean.  He  stooped  over  her  and  planted  a  kiss  on  her 
forehead,  and  returned  to  the  window  saying:  U0h  gold 
what  is  there  in  thee  to  dull  so  the  sense  of  Humanity; 
and  pleasure,  which  makes  her  forgetful  of  a  world  of 
woe.  Ye  are  powerful  to  lead  Humanity  astray  from  the 
paths  leading  to  wisdom.  Though  downtrodden  millions 
suffer  and  cry,  ye  look  upon  it  with  disdain.  But  two 
things  cannot  be  seen  at  once,  therefore,  they  who  look 
on  treasure  see  no  want,  and  they  who  have  pleasure 
think  not  of  sadness  until  the  serpent  has  planted  its 
kiss. 

"  Beautiful  and  fair  art  thou,  City  of  Israel,  wrapped  in 
thy  blanket  of  gold.  Strong  are  thy  walls  and  mighty 
thy  king.  Fair  as  a  beautiful  woman,  and  strong  as  a 
man  in  fairest  manhood.  Ah!  "  Tis  vain  that  with  lordly 
looks  of  disdain,  thou  dost  challenge  might  for  thou  art 
built  on  sinking  sand.  As  the  beauty  of  a  woman 
wrinkles  and  fades,  so  with  thee,  and  as  the  strength  of 
i_icnhood  falls  into  the  dust,  so  is  thy  fate,  and  neither 
•£hy  king  nor  thy  God  can  save  thee.  Thy  gold  is  mighty 
lure  for  the  oppressed.  Thou  has  wrought  from  the  poor- 
thy  -)reasure.  Thou  art  built  of  seized  goods.  In  thy 
office  is  hidden  the  asp  of  superstition,  and  when  it  shall 


54 


THE    TABLEAU. 


be  uncovered,  it  will  confuse  thee  and  cause  thy  men  to 
slay  each  other. 

As  a  high  tree  must  fall  to  the  ground  and  crumble 
into  dust,  so  thou  great  city  must  run  thy  round  and 
nothing  shall  save  thee. 


OFFERING 


CHAPTER  VI. 

LEASANTLY  arose  next  morning  the  sun  upor 
the  city.  Pleasantly  gleamed  the  mountains  be* 
yond  in  the  soft  pure  morning  air.  Life  had 
long  been  astir,  and  clamorous  labor  knocked  with 

hundred  hands  to  satisfy  the  needy.  Now  came  from 
neighboring  hamlets  and  villages,  in  their  holiday  dresses, 
the  blythe  Israelites.  Many  a  glad  goodmorning  and 
jolly  laugh  made  the  bright  air  brighter.  Long  ere  noon 
all  labor  was  put  aside,  and  the  streets  were  thronged 
with  people. 

Again  the  chords  of  music  sounded  in  the  halls,  and 
new  merriness  began  to  break  into  dancing.  So  passed 
the  morning  away,  when  lo,  the  sound  of  trumpets 
sounded  summoning  the  gay  dancers  to  the  house  of  God. 
The  merry  voices  silenced  and  the  cheerful  mein  changed 
fnto  awe  and  seriousness.  As  if  an  earthquake  had 
shocked  the  city,  so  was  quenched  all  mirth.  Soon  the 
mournful  throng  entered  the  sacred  portal.  The  priests 
stood  in  the  offering  hall  and  on  either  hand  stood  the 
singers  whose  voices  echoed  solemn  and  awful  with  the 
roaring  fire  that  burned  on  the  altar.  The  bright  tongued 
flames  from  scented  wood  flickered  hissing  as  they  licked 
the  gifts  of  spices  and  frankincense,  the  joy  of  Gods. 
Around  the  pile  ran  the  blood  of  bleeding  victims. 

When  the  singing  was  ended,  then  came  forth  the  high 
priest  upon  the  steps  of  the  altar,  holding  in  his  hand  a 
manuscript  containing  the  royal  commission. 


50  THE    TABLEAU. 

"  Hear  the  holy  commandments,"  he  daid,  and  read 
from  the  scriptures,  thus:  uAnd  the  Lord  spake  unto 
Moses  saying,  command  the  children  of  Israel  and  say 
unto  them:  My  offering  and  my  bread  for  my  sacrifices 
made  by  fire  for  a  sweet  savor  unto  me,  shall  ye  observe 
to  offer  me  in  their  due  season.  This  is  the  offering  made 
by  fire  which  ye  shall  offer  unto  the  Lord — two  lambs  of 
the  first  year  without  spot,  day  by  day  for  a  continual 
burnt  ottering.  Your  special  offering  shall  be  of  oxen, 
sheep,  and  goats  without  blemish,  according  to  the  num 
ber  of  the  law.  Of  these  ye  shall  offer  unto  the  Lord,  as 
a  sweet  savor,  to  make  atonement  for  sin. 

"This  ye  shall  do  unto  the  Lord  in  your  set  feasts, 
beside  your  vows,  free  will  and  daily  offerings." — Bible. 

After  having  thus  read,  he  made  loud  prayer  and  sup 
plication  for  the  mercy  and  favor  of  God,  then  he  spoke: 

"  Man  is  poisoned  by  sin,  but  a  remedy  has  been  pro 
vided  for  the  fallen  race,  in  the  sacrifice  of  blood  which 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  Every  hope  that  we 
have  of  salvation  outside  of  sacrifice  is  vain  hope.  We 
can  not  do  a  more  disgraceful  thing  than  to  doubt  its 
power  of  salvation.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  trans 
gression,  however  deep  may  be  the  stain  of  sin,  there  is 
that  which  makes  clean  to  the  utmost  all  that  come  unto 
God  by  it.  Blood  is  the  remedy  for  sin.  We  may  be 
wise  but  can  devise  no  way  of  salvation.  Only  through 
the  blood  of  sacrifice  can  be  obtained  forgiveness  of  sin. 
Who  so  believeth  this  shall  live,  and  who  so  believeth  not 
Bhall  perish." 

Then  were  brought  forth  on  one  side  of  the  altar  a 
goat,  and  on  the  other  side  a  sheep  bound  and  laid  unto 
the  block.  At  their  stretched  throats  were  pressed  the 
great  knives  by  priests.  When  all  was  prepared,  the 
High  Priest  ordered  the  congregation  to  fall  down  upon 


THE   TABLEAU.  57 

their  faces  before  the  Lord  and  make  supplication  that  the 
sacrifices  may  be  a  sweet  savor  unto  the  Lord.  After  the 
congregation  had  gotten  down  he  went  on  saying:  "Great 
God  of  Israel,  receive  with  pleasure  this  the  sacrifice  of 
thy  people.  Take  joy  in  the  sprinkling  of  blood  and  the 
scent  of  roasting  flesh  and  the  burning  of  spices.  Let 
the  king's  sins  and  the  sins  of  the  people  be  laid  upon 
this  sacrifice  and  let  them  be  consumed.  Now,  oh  Lord, 
I  beseech  Thee,  let  Thine  eyes  be  pleased,  and  Thine  ears 
attend  unto  the  prayer  that  is  made  in  this  place.  Let 

thy  servants  now  strike  with  thy  smile  upon " 

More  he  would  have  said,  but  was  interrupted  by  Hu 
manity  who  had  been  moved  and  could  remain  silent  no 
longer.  "  Let  them  not  strike  great  priest,"  she  said,  "but 
let  the  innocent  victims  go  free  and  live."  So  great  was 
the  surprise,  and  so  pitiful  her  plea,  that  the  priests  were 
unable  to  continue  their  feast.  Humanity  then  turned 
to  the  kneeling  mass  and  spoke  of  life  which  all  can  take, 
but  none  can  give,  life  which  is  so  dear  to  all  creatures 
which  all  strive  to  keep,  even  the  meanest  and  smallest. 
"  Let  not  my  brothers  be  cruel  and  slaughter  life  thus, 
but  let  them  have  pity,  for  pity  makes  life  sweet  for  the 
weak  and  noble  for  the  strong.  All  life  is  one,  and  what 
we  waste  and  slay  we  lose."  Sad  pleading  words  she 
spoke  showing  how  man  who  prays  for  mercy  to  God,  is 
merciless,  slaying  innocent  beasts  as  God  slays  innocent 
man.  Nor  shall  one  wash  his  spirit  clean  by  blood,  nor 
gladden  God,  nor  move  him  to  be  good,  nor  bribe  him  to 
be  good,  nor  bribe  him  to  be  evil,  nay,  nor  lay  upon  poor 
bound  beasts,  one  feather's  weight  of  that  done  amiss  or 
evil.  Alone,  each  one  must  reckon  with  the  fixed  math 
ematics  of  the  universe  which  meteth  good  for  good,  and 
evil  for  evil.  Measure  for  measure,  unto  deeds,  words, 
thoughts,  making  all  futures  fruits  of  all  the  pasts.  Nay! 


58  THE   TABLEAU. 

"«- 

Gods  cannot  change  the  law.  Nay !  Sacrifice  cannot  help. 
Nay!  Blood  cannot  save." 

Thus  she  spake  in  such  pitious  words,  but  as  when  the 
air  is  serene  and  motionless,  suddenly  gathers  a  storm 
and  the  driving  hail  stones  beat  down  the  balmy  blossoms 
of  spring  and  shatters  the  fruit,  so  on  the  hearts  of  the 
priests  descended  the  words  of  the  speaker.  Silent  a  mo 
ment  they  stood  in  speechless  wonder,  and  then  rose  a 
wail  of  anger  and  cries  of  disdain,  and  fierce  imprecations 
rang  through  the  Temple. 

Reason  went  to  his  companions  rescue,  but  the  merci 
less  hand  of  a  priest  smote  him  and  dragged  him  to  the 
floor.  In  the  midst  of  the  tumult  and  noise,  Jeroboam 
appeared  upon  the  scene  and  ascended  the  steps  of  the 
altar,  raising  his  reverend  hand,  with  a  gesture,  he  awed 
the  confusion  into  silence.  Then  he  spoke  to  the  people 
in  a  sad  and  serious  mood:  "What  is  this  that  ye  do  my 
brothers?"  he  said  "What  madness  has  seized  you? 
All  my  life  have  I  been  among  you  and  taught  you  by 
word  and  deed  to  be  kind  and  love  and  forgive  one 
another.  Is  this  love  and  forgiveness?  These  my  guests 
are  heralds  of  freedom  and  peace,  and  life,  and  happiness, 
and  would  you  profane  them  thus  with  violent  deeds  and 
hearts  overflowing  with  hatred?  Are  not  the  words  which 
the  good  woman  has  spoken  true  ?  Hear  me.  Ye  are  a 
people  led  by  deceit  and  falsehood.  *  Ye  are  led  to  worship 
where  there  is  naught  that  you  can  point  out,  neither  is 
there  an  object  such  as  ye  worship  in  the  universe.  I  ask 
if  you  have  seen,  or  heard,  or  felt  that  which  you  worship. 
Where  is  your  king?  Why  does  he  no  more  worship. 
Be  has  sought  for  God  in  his  wisdom.  He  has  proclaimed 
to  you  of  God  appearing  unto  him  to  frighten  ye,  and 
hold  ye  in  bondage  and  wring  from  you  your  gold  and 
silver  and  bring  it  unto  himself.  The  king  has  sought  in 


THE    TABLEAU.  59 

his  wisdom  for  God,  but  found  him  not,  and  has  made  of 
gold  and  silver,  idols  which  he  now  worships  because  he 
failed  to  find  the  God  of  the  skies  of  which  Moses  has 
written.  Be  no  longer  deceived.  Sacrifice  is  naught ; 
blood  is  naught;  incense  is  an  abomination.  'Tis  cruelty 
and  waste  of  life  and  property  as  the  woman  has  said. 
Brothers  and  sisters,  ye  know  me  and  my  word.  All  my 
life  have  I  been  with  you.  Can  any  one  show  or  remem 
ber  an  evil  act  or  word  of  untruth  of  which  I  am  guilty? 
This  that  I  say  to  you  is  true.  Ye  are  a  bound  people 
and  your  king  has  laid  a  heavy  yoke  upon  you.  With 
Gods  and  demons,  ye  are  frightened  into  submission  and 
your  goods  and  houses  are  taken  away  from  you.  Ye 
live  in  caverns  and  your  children  cry  for  bread.  Ye  bring 
your  treasures  to  unknown  Gods  and  deceitful  and  cruel 
kings.  The  Gods  being  a  picture  of  the  mind  and  the 
kings  slayers  of  the  body.  I  pray  ye  go  to  your  places 
in  peace.  Make  an  offering  of  the  flocks  that  ye  would 
burn  unto  the  poor  and  needy.  Live,  love,  and  labor,  for 
life  that  it  may  be  contented,  and  die  when  life  will  stay 
no  longer.  Life  is  come  to  you  at  free  will.  Let  not 
this  free  will  be  encumbered.  Do  not  oppress  life  by 
falsehood  and  unrighteousness  or  intemperance.  Make 
your  abode  a  pleasant  one.  Take  heed  that  ye  care  for 
life  properly  so  when  parting  comes  ye  have  no  regrets 
but  that  ye  may  be  able  to  say:  'Welcome  art  thou  to 
stay,  but  if  you  cannot  then  go  in  peace.'  Submit  yuor- 
selves  to  the  will  of  life.  It  is  the  only  Lord  that  ye  can 
benefit.  All  life  is  one  and  by  the  life  within  you,  judge 
ye  and  do  to  all  life  as  you  would  do  to  your  own.  I  pray 
ye  now,  go  to  your  places,  eat,  drink,  and  labor,  and  make 
the  best  of  life  to  your  joy  and  peace." 

Thus  he  spake  with  such  high  lordliness  and  authority 
chat  he  won  the  heart  of  the  people  for  they  were  sore 


60  THE    TABLEAU. 

oppressed  by  Solomon  who  caused  them  to  forfeit  all 
their  jewelry  of  gold  and  silver  and  made  them  labor 
without  recompense.  So  that,  though  the  king's  city  was 
made  of  gold  the  men  of  Israel  were  poor  and  very  much 
dissatisfied. 

Jeroboam  was  a  favorite  with  all  the  Israelites  for  his 
kindness  sake,  and  the  love  he  had  for  the  poor.  Also  the 
priests  caused  many  to  be  stoned  to  death  for  disobedience 
and  small  offences,  such  as  neglect  of  sacrificing  relics  of 
gold  and  jewelry  after  the  king's  orders,  or  making  com 
plaint  of  the  yoke  which  was  laid  upon  them,  or  dissent 
ing  in  the  mode  in  which  the  law  was  applied.  All  such 
offences  were  punished  by  merciless  lashes  or  stoning  to 
death.  The  priests  would  fain  have  crushed  Jeroboam 
but  they  dared  not  lay  hand  on  him  for  fear  of  the  peo 
ple  whose  power  and  authority  was  greater  than  the 
king's.  When  the  priests  saw  that  Jeroboam  had  con 
trol  of  the  mass  they  put  out  the  fire  and  closed  the  hall. 

The  Israelites  applauded  Jeroboam  with  joyful  shouts, 
and  as  he  passed  out  of  the  gate  he  was  confronted  by 
old  Ahrjah  the  astrologer  who  presented  to  him  the  re 
mains  of  a  torn  garment.  "The  remnants  of  Israel, 
behold  their  king,"  he  said,  and  made  prostration  before 
him. 

The  excitement  of  the  day  had  been  intense.  Many 
opposing  sentiments  had  been  evoked  by  Jeroboam's  pro 
ceedings — fury,  malice,  pity,  sympathy  and  condemna 
tion,  for  there  were  still  many  who  clung  to  the  old  faith 
in  the  God  of  their  fathers — the  living  or  unknown  God. 
Their  curses  on  the  idolaters  were  deep  and  strong,  but 
being  few  in  comparison  to  the  vast  multitude  that  sym 
pathized  with  Jeroboam,  they  grieved  in  secret  and  put 
dust  and  ashes  on  their  heads  and  rent  their  garments 
for  the  sins  of  their  brothers.  Had  Jeroboam  or  his 


THE    TABLEAU.  61 

guests  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  baffled  and  infuriated 
priests,  their  lives  had  not  lasted  long. 

As  the  evening  drew  nigh  the  vacant  places  by  the 
gates  which  had  been  filled  most  of  the  day  by  strangers 
drawn  thither  to  be  present  at  the  ceremonies  of  worship 
and  to  enjoy  the  bounties  of  meats  and  drink  furnished 
freely  to  all,  became  empty.  Those  from  a  distance  had 
gone  to  their  tents  outside  the  walls,  and  those  who  lived 
near  returned  to  their  own  homes  and  at  last  the  citizens 
themselves  retired. 

Reason  and  Humanity  accompanied  Jeroboam  to  his 
house,  and  were  about  to  partake  of  their  evening  meal 
when  they  were  interrupted  by  a  messenger  reporting 
that  the  king  had  returned  to  the  city,  and  was  greatly 
enraged  over  the  occurrence  and  incident  of  the  day. 
While  the  first  messenger  was  yet  speaking,  there  came 
another.  u  Good  people"  he  said  "fly  for  your  lives. 
The  king  has  ordered  that  ye  be  brought  before  him  dead 
or  alive.  Fly,  Jeroboam,  the  king  has  sworn  to  take 
thy  life,  and  his  men  are  now  on  the  way  hither. 
Fly!  fly!  if  you  love  your  life."  Jeroboam  lost  no  time, 
but  immediately  led  his  guests  out  of  the  city  that  they 
might  save  themselves  and  continue  their  journey.  He 
himself  fled  into  Egypt,  but  after  King  Solomon's  death, 
he  was  called  by  Israel  to  be  their  king,  and  reigned  over 
Israel  twenty-two  years,  enacted  new  laws  and  regula 
tions*  such  as  were  adapted  to  times  and  conditions,  and 
was  loved  and  honored  and  slept  in  peace.  ...  s 


TYRANNY. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

FTER  the  event  of  sacrifice  in  the  Temple,  Hu 
manity  was  somewhat  moved  in  her  ideas  of  the 
city  and  people,  and  desired  to  continue  the  jour 
ney,  which  they  did,,  with  the  rising  of  the  sun 
next  morning. 

"  I  am  glad,"  said  Reason  to  his  companion  by  the  way. 
"  that  thou  didst  withstand  those  priests  so  bravely,  for 
all  that  thou  didst  say  was  so  full  of  truth  and  pity  and 
right  that  it  moved  many,  and  I  hope  the  results  will  be 
good  to  loosen  the  bonds  of  this  people  and  make  them 
free  from  this  terrible  God  Idea  under  which  they  suffer." 

"  Say!  I  could  not  tell  what  to  say  at  first,  but  I  was 
bound  to  do  something  to  save  the  burning  of  those  poor 
creatures.  Oh!  how  those  great  knives  cut  my  soul! 
What  a  monster  of  a  God  these  people  would  have. 
Blood,  blood  he  wants,  then  he  will  be  good  and  kind, 
How  can  one  be  good  or  kind  and  take  pleasure  in  blood- 
shedding?  *  What  fools  these  mortals  be,'  she  said. 

"  It  was  happy  for  us  that  Jeroboam  made  his  appear 
ance  when  he  did.  Those  priests  are  wolves  in  sheepskin. 
Let  us  beware  of  them  in  future,  for  they  are  our  greatest 
enemies.  With  their  soothsaymgs  and  gowns  of  velvet 
they  take  from  the  people  their  minds  and  make  them 
mindless  of  their  own  life  and  senses,  and  drive  them  as 
a  plowman  his  oxen,  or  like  a  trapper  his  prey."  Then 
Reason  took  from  his  grip  a  scripture  and  gave  it  to  his 
companion. 


THE    TABLEAU.  OS 

"It  is  the  law  and  history  of  Israel,"  he  said.  "It  is 
written  as  from  the  mouth  of  a  God,  and  as  such  "is  very 
obscure  and  intangible.  Why  a  God  of  wisdom  and 
power  and  mercy  should  be  guilty  of  producing  such  a 
terrible  law  and  history  on  earth  is  beyond  conception, 
and  even  if  a  man  with  common  sense,  ignorant  of  the 
secrets  of  Moses,  believes  and  submits  himself  to  them, 
is  extremely  easy  led  by  fools." 

"  Is  there  anything  in  it  about  Joshua  asked  Human 
ity." 

"  Yes,  Joshua  became  leader  of  Israel  after  Moses  died 
and  was  a  great  man  of  war.  With  the  dish  of  Moses  he 
led  the  Israelites  from  one  victory  unto  another  and  over 
came  all  his  enemies — not  with  a  lust  for  fame  or  wealth, 
or  to  oppress,  but  with  a  desire  to  establish  peace  and 
well  being  in  Israel.  He  laid  not  hand  to  the  sword  to 
force  upon  the  natives  religion  or  law  but  in  defence  of 
his  own  and  the  life  of  his  people.  Taking  in  consider 
ation  the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed  and  the 
disposition  of  the  natives  with  which  he  was  surrounded, 
he  was  obliged  to  fight  or  die.  It  was  a  battle  for  life  in 
which  as  everywhere,  the  fittest  survived.  The  outrages 
peculiar  to  war  and  everywhere  in  nature  were  numerous. 
Life  was  destroyed  to  preserve  life.  Men  put  to  death 
that  other  men  might  live." 

Humanity  had  opened  the  scripture  and  her  eye  caught 
the  following  passage  which  she  read  aloud. 

"  So  Joshua  smote  with  the  edge  of  the  sword  all  the 
country  of  the  hills  and  of  the  south  and  of  the  vale  and 
of  the  springs  and  all  their  kings,  and  left  none  remain 
ing,  but  utterly  destroyed  all  that  breathed  because  the 
Lord  God  fought  for  Israel." — Bible. 

"  This  was  cruel  of  Joshua,"  she  said.  "  I  should  think 
he  might  have  let  the  women  and  children  live." 


64  THE    TABLEAU. 

*'  Yes,  it  looks  cruel  and  you  or  I  might  have  done  dif 
ferently,  but  I  suppose  Joshua  thought  it  was  best  to  do 
as  he  did.  We  must  always,  when  we  make  conclusions, 
take  into  consideration  and  measure  the  circumstances 
in  which  an  act  was  done.  We  must  allow  for  ignorance, 
fear  and  passions.  A  God  can  only  be  perfect  and  do 
things  just  as  they  ought  to  be  done  and  be  continually 
good  and  merciful  to  all  creatures.  Men  overcome  men 
by  belaboring  the  body.  A  God  leadeth  the  heart  and 
makes  out  of  lions  lambs,  and  out  of  desperadoes,  peace 
ful  citizens.  A  God  is  fearless,  passionless,  and  allwise, 
and  causes  no  evil,  neither  in  the  mind  nor  in  the  body. 
He  continually  healeth  the  sick,  saves  the  dying  and 
gives  peace  to  the  fearful." 

"  It  would  have  been  a  desirable  thing  for  Israel  to  be 
in  care  of  such  a  creature,  more  so  for  the  Egyptians  and 
the  poor  natives,"  said  Humanity.  "  But  such  a  being  has 
not  yet  been  discovered.  The  God  of  Israel,  if  we  con 
sider  the  career  of  that  combination  which  they  call  God, 
is  like  unto  a  gambler  who  plays  to  make  himself  a  name, 
or  as  a  sporting  dog  fighter  training  his  pup  to  whip 
another  and  rejoicing  over  the  defeat  of  his  opponent,  aa 
an  elephant  putting  his  feet  on  flies,  and  thinking  him 
self  noble.  Considering  the  conditions  and  circumstances 
and  ignorance  of  Joshua  and  Israel  their  career  may  be 
justifiable  as  a  people  seeking  to  save  themselves  from 
being  destroyed,  but  it  is  void  of  sympathy  for  the  dis 
tressed  and  full  of  cruel  acts  which  are  only  justifiable 
to  conditions  such  as  were  those  of  the  Israelites,  making 
wide  allowance  for  ignorance,  and  the  animal  nature  of 
man,  but  as  the  career  of  an  allwise  and  powerful  being 
it  is  horrible  to  the  uttermost.  It  is  as  I  said,  fighting 
for  the  fun  of  it  and  for  a  name,  It  is  pugnacity," 

Now,  as  they  were  talking  thus  they  oam©  to  a  plaos 
where  a  Brook  ran  by  the  wayside, 


THE   TABLEAU.  65 

Humanity  noticing  the  water  to  be  of  a  peculiar  color 
remarked  to  her  companion  :  "  See  what  a  curious  water 
in  the  brook." 

u  It  is  the  color  of  blood,"  he  said,  and  so  it  was.  By  a 
stranger  that  carne  along  that  way  they  were  informed 
that  a  certain  man  of  God  had  seized  upon  an  opportun 
ity  and  in  his  holy  madness,  slaughtered  four  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  a  short  distance  up  the  brook,  because 
they  were  in  view  regarding  religion,  different  from  him 
self,  therefore  he  slew  them,  and  their  blood  flows  now  in 
the  brook." 

"  'Tis  the  pleasure  of  this  God  surely  to  look  upon 
blood,  and  the  pleasure  of  men  of  God  to  shed  it"  said 
Humanity.  "  Come  let  us  leave  this  place  for  the  sight 
of  this  brook  gives  me  pain." 

"Humanity"  said  Reason,  "thou  art  full  of  pity.  If 
thou  hadst  power  as  the  Gods  are  said  to  have,  what 
wouldst  thou  do  to  these  men  that  slay  their  fellow  men? 

"  That  is  just  what  I  am  thinking  of"  she  said.  "  I 
am  at  a  loss  to  decide  what  course  to  follow  but  I  think  I 
should  endeavor  to  reform  them.  L  should  lead  their 
hearts  into  a  passion  of  pity  and  their  mind  from  the 
madness  of  ignorance  into  the  gentleness  of  knowledge. 
I  should  certainly  not  slay  them  because  they  did  evil, 
for  fear  that  I  might  do  evil  also  which  I  surely  would. 
Would  I  not?" 

"Yes,  the  man  that  slayeth  has  a  cause  in  his  mind 
for  which  he  slayeth.  He  has  a  passion  which  he  seeks 
to  satisfy  by  slaying,  and  if  one  slay  a  slayer  because  he 
has  slain,  he  satisfies  a  passion  no  less  contemptible  than 
that  of  the  slayer,  in  fact  he  makt-s  himself  a  slayer 
also.  A  tree  cannot  be  made  to  bear  fruit  by  destroying 
it  The  soil  must  be  tilled,  the  mind  cultivated,  or  as 
thou  hast  said,  the  man  must  be  reformed  and  placed  in 

E 


66  THE    TABLEAU. 

different  circumstances,  surroundings  and  conditions, 
such  as  he  requires." 

"Oh  that  I  had  power  to  do  this  to  all  my  brothers  that 
suffer  and  slay  each  other  in  madness  and  ignorance," 
lamented  Humanity.  They  now  had  come  on  top  of  a 
hill,  and  were  in  sight  of  a  large  city.  Their  way  led 
through  this  place,  and  on  entering  the  gate  there  came 
one  in  a  chariot  who  drove  furiously.  This  driver  was 
the  king,  and  as  he  drove  past  the  former  king's  palace, 
he  espied  the  bereaved  widow  at  the  window  of  her 
chamber.  He  immediately  ordered  her  to  be  thrown 
from  the  window  into  the  street.  Now  when  she  had 
fallen,  he  heedlessly  drove  over  her  and  caused  her  blood 
to  bespatter  his  horses. 

Humanity  would  have  interfered,  but  Reason  said: 
"  Have  nothing  to  do  with  this  tyrant .  As  he  did  with 
this  woman  he  would  do  with  any  one  who  crossed  his 
way." 

In  this  city  they  met  with  the  most  dreadful  sights. 
When  they  went  out  of  the  opposite  gate,  they  were  hor 
rified  with  heaps  of  human  heads  piled  on  each  side  of 
the  way.  They  were  the  heads  of  the  sons  of  the  former 
king  which  the  new  king  had  murdered  to  please  God. 
As  they  hurried  along  from  this  place  of  death  they 
found  a  woman  sitting  beside  the  way  weeping. 

Reason  compassed  her,  saying:  "  Woman,  why  weep- 
estthou?"  Whereon  she  related  to  him  her  sad  tale. 
"  This  new  king,"  she  said,  "  has  slain  all  my  people. 
He  said,  "Ahab  has  served  Baal  a  little  but  I  shall  serve 
him  much."  Under  the  disguise  that  he  was  a  Baalist 
(He  was  a  man  of  God)  he  ordered  a  great  jubilee  in 
honor  of  Baal,  and  after  all  were  gathered  in  the  house 
of  Baal,  he  ordered  that  they  should  be  slain,  and  so 
they  were,  and  I  am  the  only  one  left." 


THE    TABLEAU.  67 

"  This  is  a  sad  thing,  but  that  thou  hast  escaped,  go 
seek  again  to  build  that  which  you  love.  Be  not  discour 
aged.  If  that  which  you  love  is  good,  it  shall  become 
great,  but  if  it  is  evil,  it  shall  come  to  ruin.  '  Tis  the 
law  of  the  universe.  The  good  and  right  only  prevails. 
Go  thou  in  peace  and  labor  for  that  which  you  love." 

"  This  scripture  I  see,"  said  Humanity  as  they  went 
on,  "is  full  of  pretentions  of  being  the  production  of  a  God 
and  that  He  led  Israel.  Supposing  this  were  true,  in 
what  part  of  the  law  or  history  do  we  find  genius  other 
than  that  which  men  frame  to  overthrow  an  oppressor,  or 
to  overcome  an  enemy,  or  to  have  dominion  over  the 
ignorant,  or  to  force  upon  a  people  a  mode  of  worship. 
Thou  hast  said  a  God  leadeth  the  heart  of  men.  Is  it  unto 
the  burning  of  innocent  beasts,  the  revelry  of  kings,  and 
the  slaying  of  unbelievers  a  God  would  lead  the  heart  of 
men?" 

"  If  we  suppose  Israel  to  be  led  by  a  God  "  answered 
Reason,  "we  cannot  conclude  otherwise,  for  the  work 
showeth  the  dish  of  the  author.  If  a  law  is  made  by 
man  which  encourages  war  and  the  destruction  of  unbe 
lievers,  and  if  such  things  come  to  pass  by  the  authority 
of  that  law,  the  lawmaker  is  responsible,  or  if  a  man 
leadeth  a  people  and  fails  to  win  love,  respect  and  obedi 
ence,  and  if  that  people  fall  in  love  and  obey  another, 
whose  fault  is  it?  Or,  if  a  leader  gives  a  command,  and 
the  people  forsake  him,  and  rise  in  rebellion,  whose  fault 
is  it  ?  If  the  leader  has  power  he  will  enforce  his 
will  and  save  his  kingdom,  but  if  he  is  weak  he  loses 
it  and  is  forsaken.  If  Moses  made  the  law,  and  if  kings 
lead  this  people,  then  Moses  is  guilty  of  making  an  evil 
law,  and  the  kings  of  an  evil  leadership;  but  if  a  God 
be  the  law  maker  and  leader  he  is  also  the  guilty  one 
of  evil  consequences.  A  leader  that  cannot  hold  his 
own  is  not  worthy  of  it." 


68  THE   TABLEAU. 

"And  a  law  prescribing  bloodshed  is  unworthy  of  sup 
port,"  Humanity  assented. 

"  There  is  nothing  in  the  law  or  history  that  exhibits 
a  benevolent  affection  such  as  a  God  of  wisdom  and 
mercy  should  exercise.  There  is  no  part  in  which  the 
heart  of  Israel  was  led  to  be  merciful.  The  God  himself 
who  should  have  led  the  heart,  led  not  the  heart,  but 
slew  both  Israel,  Egypt  and  the  natives.  He  did  precisely 
as  men  do  who  cannot  induce  men  to  believe  and  do 
as  they  would  have  them  to — they  slay  them.  We  cannot 
for  a  moment  call  anything  alwise,  almighty  and  merciful, 
and  ascribe  to  such  a  combination  the  law  and  history  of 
Israel." 


BABYLON. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

fpj)  ABYLON  lay  golden  in  the  sun— an  object  of  beauty 
standing  high  over  her  towers  for  all  the  world, 
to  see,  to  love,  to  worship.  A  soft  haze  hung 
in  the  atmosphere,  as  it  were  a  protecting  cloud 
diffused  and  softened,  reaching  to  her  furthest  gates  that 
all  her  blessed  children  might  know  that  their  God  was 
still  near,  smiling  and  displaying  his  love. 

The  streets  and  houses  were  decorated  for  a  great  festi 
val.  The  people  attired  in  magnificent  garments  of  pur 
ple,  scarlet,  blue  and  with  gold  profusely  embroidered;  the 
women  with  veils,  golden  head-pieces,  nose-rings,  brace 
lets,  tinkling  anklets  and  strings  of  precious  ornaments 
completely  covering  their  breasts;  the  maidens  and 
children  in  pure  white,  entwined  with  wreaths  of  flowers 
and  trailing  vines,  were  all  wending  their  way  to  join  in 
the  great  procession,  for  this  was  a  day  of  rejoicing. 

King  Nebucudnezzar  had  safely  returned  from  a  seiga 
against  Jerusalem  leading  her  children  into  captivity  and 
there  was  to  be  an  offering  given  to  their  great  God  by 
way  of  thanks  for  protection  and  prosperity.  It  was  to 
be  no  common  offering,  not  to  be  given  by  a  too  willing 
personage  that  through  it  his  name  and  family  might  be 
honored.  No  ;  it  was  to  be  the  most  beautiful  object  in 
Babylon,  nay,  in  all  the  kingdom,  a  woman  fairer  yet 
than  any  the  sun  had  ever  shone  on  ;  so  beautiful  that 
people  wondered  and  turned  thrice  to  look  upon  her,  even 
:n  the  most  crowded  streets. 


70  THE    TABLEAU. 

The  imperious,  powerful  high  priest  of  God  hearing  of 
Humanity,  ordered  that  she  be  brought  before  him. 
When  he  saw  her,  his  eyes  sparkled  and  the  blood  suf 
fused  his  dusky  face.  Ah!  what  will  not  the  great  God 
do  for  me  for  such  an  offering,  he  thought,  so  she  was 
dedicated  the  victim  of  sacrifice. 

Reason  was  terror-stricken  at  the  position,  and  was  as 
one  made  dumb. 

When  the  great  day  arrived,  he  saw  her  in  the  proces 
sion  and  followed  like  a  cold  statue. 

All  the  gates  were  thrown  open  and  the  multitudes 
poured  in.  The  procession  moved.  First  came  the 
mounted  guard  of  God  in  golden  armor,  ruthlessly  riding 
down  those  who  in  the  least  obstructed  their  way ;  then 
came  the  musicians  in  beautiful  vestments  ;  the  music 
was  inspiring,  so  martial,  so  grand  as  to  thrill  the  most 
dumb.  Next  came  the  priests  riding  in  the  golden  char 
iots  of  the  sun,  in  robes  so  magnificent  that  increase  of 
splendor  seemed  impossible.  Yet,  when  the  high  priest 
appeared  borne  aloft  on  a  resplendent  throne,  the 
grandeur  of  these  lesser  ones  sank  into  insignificance. 
Now  came  the  offering,  robed  in  simple  white,  with  limbs 
and  neck  uncovered,  that  all  might  behold  their  won 
drous  beauty  ;  a  wreath  of  golden  sunflowers  in  her  hair 
and  trailing  to  her  feet.  Her  face  was  sad,  but  calm  and 
converting.  Many  ceased  to  shout  at  her  sight.  Next 
came  King  Nebuchudnezzar — hair  black  and  shining  as 
the  raven's  wing,  and  beard  of  the  same  hue,  waving  to 
his  waist ;  eyes  cruel  and  black  when  angry,  but  with 
those  he  loved,  soft  and  tender  as  a  mother's.  He  was 
dressed  in  the  utmost  splendor,  as  were  those  of  his  re 
tinue  who  surrounded  him.  Then  came  the  princes  and 
the  rulers,  then  the  fighting  men,  men  of  magnificent 
physique  and  courage  ;  the  nobles  and  heads  of  families; 


THE   TABLEAU.  71 

the  standard  bearers  whose  highly  colored'  and  gilded  in 
signia  of  the  different  tribes  added  to  the  beauty  of  the 
whole.  Then  followed  the  people  dressed  in  holiday 
attire,  "the  maidens  bearing  cakes,  the  youths  golden 
vases  of  wine.  As  the  procession  neared  the  gate  the 
music  assumed  inspiring  grandeur,  and  the  voices  of 
the  men  and  women  singers  filled  the  air  with  delicious 
melody.  The  trappings  of  the  stately  camels  glistened 
in  the  sun — the  golden  armor  of  the  guards  threw  back  a 
million  rays — the  precious  ornaments  of  the  women  re 
flected  the  glory  of  their  God  in  innumerable  bright 
colors — the  high  priest  in  his  splendor,  and  the  offering 
in  her  simplicity  appeared  more  transcendently  beautiful 
by  contrast.  Suddenly  the  silver  trumpets  sounded  loudly 
and  the  procession  countermarched  before  the  great  gate. 
It  was  indeed  splendor  of  which  any  God  might  well  be 
proud.  Slowly  it  passed  over  the  bridge  into  the  plain 
of  Dura. 

The  sun  whom  they  worshiped  under  the  form  of  an 
image  seemed  to  smile  on  this  magnificent  exhibition  of 
their  devotion  to  him,  and  rose  higher  and  higher  in  the 
heavens  and  brighter  and  warmer  became  his  rays.  As 
a  cloud  momentarily  obscuring  his  light  passed  from  his 
face,  the  vast  multitude  broke  out  into  joyous  shouts 
and  song.  The  earth  trembled  with  the  sound,  and  the 
walls  of  Babylon  repeated  the  glad  cheer  and  song  and 
sent  them  back  from  every  angle  and  every  tower  till 
the  whole  plain  was  full  of  triumphant  melody. 

They  approached  the  grove  in  a  long  sinuous  line  like 
a  great  golden  serpent  flashing  in  the  sun.  Nearing  the 
place  of  sacrifice  it  divided  into  two  immense  masses 
leaving  a  wide  passage  for  the  offering.  For  a  moment 
the  music  died  away  into  a  plaintive  wail,  then  the  most 
magnificent  of  the  golden  chariots  drawn  by  a  line  of 


72  THE   TABLEAU. 

milkwhite  horses,  sacredly  carried   Humanity   through 
the  expectant  multitude. 

Again  from  the  high  place  of  the  Temple  sounded  a 
trumpet  long  and  loud,  and  the  great  curtains  were  drawn 
aside  revealing  three  altars,  two  of  which  were  enveloped 
in  a  mass  of  smoke  and  fire,  and  the  third  ready  to  be 
kindled  after  being  crowned  by  the  offering.  The  high 
priest  approached  the  chariot.  Humanity  stepped  to  the 
ground,  giving  the  king  who  stood  by  in  his  power  a 
serious  look.  The  priest  took  her  by  the  hand  and  led 
her  on  to  her  doom.  She  advanced  without  fear,  deter 
mined  to  die  if  it  must  be,  bravely.  As  the  priest  led  her 
to  the  well  fueled  altar  hundreds  of  other  priests  swung 
high  their  glittering  censors,  filling  the  air  with  dense 
clouds  of  aromatic  perfume,  the  maidens  placed  their 
cakes  on  little  altars  to  be  consumed  and  the  youths 
poured  out  their  wine  to  be  lapped  by  the  flames.  The 
multitude  was  burning  with  religion,  louder  sung  the  sing 
ers  and  louder  the  shouts.  When  the  offering  came  near, 
the  great  image  was  unveiled.  Humanity  hesitated  with 
a  thrill  of  horror.  The  high  priest  urged  her  forward, 
and  waiving  his  hand  as  a  sign  for  silence,  an  awful  still 
ness  came.  Then  he  began  the  ceremonies,  but  as  it  were, 
from  the  image,  a  voice  invisible  was  heard  saying: 
"0  King  Nebuchudnezzar,  to  thee  it  is  spoken.  The 
kingdom  is  departed  from  thee.  A  beast  heart  is  given 
thee.  In  the  field  thou  shalt  dwell  and  grass  shalt  thou 
eat  as  oxen.  I,  the  God  of  thy  servant  Daniel,  the  God 
of  heaven,  the  most  high  and  only  God  have  spoken  it." 
And  immediately  the  head  of  the  image  toppled  off  its 
bearings. 

The  multitude  was  terror  stricken  and  the  king  trem 
bled  in  his  limbs.  u  The  kingdom  is  departed  from  me," 
he  wailed.  "  A  beast's  heart  is  given  me.  In  the  field  I 


THE   TABLEAU.  73 

shall  dwell.  Grass  shall  I  eat."  And  he  seized  his  robe 
and  tore  it  into  shreds  and  went  on  his  hands  and  feet  as 
a  beast.  The  king  had  gone  mad. 

Daniel  was  a  captive  Israelite,  and  an  intimate  friend 
of  Reason  and  Humanity.  In  his  house  they  found 
ample  entertainment  and  comfort.  By  the  counsel  and 
aid  of  Reason,  Daniel  arose  in  great  favor  before  the 
king  and  was  classed  with  the  wise  men  of  the  nation. 

Now,  when  Daniel  was  thus  classed  the  king  dreamed 
a  dream,  but  the  thing  he  dreamed  slipt  his  mind  and 
therefore  he  was  troubled  and  ordered  all  the  wise  men 
to  be  brought  before  him  that  they  might  show  him  the 
dream.  But  there  was  none  among  them  that  could 
tell  it,  therefore  the  king  became  very  angry,  for  he  said: 

"Ye  have  lied  to  me  and  cannot  make  secrets  known" 
and  commanded  the  wise  men  to  be  destroyed.  Therefore 
Daniel  was  grieved  in  his  heart  and  sought  counsel  of 
Reason.  After  hearing  the  position  Reason  said: 

"  I  see  my  host  thou  art  in  a  critical  situation  and  to 
die  thus  without  making  an  effort  to  satisfy  the  king  is 
not  wise.  Therefore  when  the  king's  captain  comes  to 
slay  thee,  say  unto  him  that  the  thing  is  revealed  unto 
thee  and  seek  an  audience  before  the  king.  Then  relate 
to  the  king  a  parable  illustrating  his  power  and  glory 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  Speak  of  his  praise  and 
great  honor.  Speak  eloquently  and  in  the  spirit  of 
knowledge.  Make  the  thing  a  glorious  one,  one  of  great 
fortune.  Perchance  he  be  convinced  to  accept  thy  say 
ing  as  the  dream  and  save  thee." 

Now  when  the  captain  came  to  slay  Daniel,  he  did  ac 
cording  to  the  counsel  of  Reason  and  was  brought  before 
the  king.  Then  Daniel  blessed  the  king  and  sa?d: 

"  Blessed  be  the  name  of  God  forever  and  ever,  for 
wisdom  and  might  are  his.  He  chang^th  the  times  and 


74  THE    TABLEAU. 

seasons.  He  removeth  kings  and  setteth  up  kings;  he 
giveth  glory  to  the  wise  and  power  to  them  of  understand 
ing.  He  revealeth  the  deep  and  secret  things.  He  know- 
eth  what  is  hidden,  and  bringeth  light  into  darkness. 
Behold,  0  king,  thou  sawest  a  great  image.  This  great 
image  whose  brightness  was  excellent  stood  before  thee 
and  the  form  thereof  was  magnificent.  The  head  was 
of  fine  gold,  the  breast  and  arms  of  silver,  the  waist  and 
thigh  of  brass,  the  legs  and  feet  of  iron.  Thou  sawest,  O 
king,  also  a  stone  cut  lose  without  hands,  which  smote 
the  image.  Then  was  the  image  made  like  unto  chaff 
and  the  wind  carried  it  away  to  the  ends  of  the  world. 
This  is  the  dream,  and  now  behold  the  interpretation: 
Thou,  0  king,  art  a  king  of  kings,  for  the  God  of  heaven 
hath  given  thee  a  kingdom  of  power  and  strength  and 
glory.  Wheresoever  the  children  of  men  dwell  the  beasts 
of  the  field  and  the  fowls  of  heaven  hath  he  given  into 
thine  hand  and  hath  made  thee  ruler  over  all.  The  im 
age  and  its  parts  are  the  kings  and  the  kings  to  come. 
Thou  art  the  head  of  gold.  The  stone  is  time  and  shall 
scatter  kingdoms,  but  the  great  God  hath  made  known 
unto  thee  that  thou  art  a  king  of  kings  from  henceforth 
forever.  This,  0  king,  is  certain  thy  dream,  and  the  in 
terpretation  thereof  is  sure." 

Thereupon  King  Nebuchudnezzar  fell  upon  his  face  and 
worshiped  Daniel  and  commanded  that  he  be  ruler 
over  all  Babylon  and  chief  of  the  governors  and  all  the 
wise  men.  Thus  he  stood  when  Humanity  was  chosen 
the  victim  of  sacrifice.  In  vain  did  he  plead  for  her. 
The  dream  and  the  revelation  of  the  king's  glory  had 
filled  his  heart  with  pride  and  made  his  reign  a  reign  of 
unrestricted  self-will,  and  his  word  a  law  which  knew  no 
mercy  in  the  fulfillment  of  his  plans.  \ 


TABLEAU.  75 

Daniel  dearly  loved  Humanity,  and  by  the  advise  of 
Reason  he  continued  to  plead  with  the  king  to  forego  his- 
intentions.  He  even  endangered  his  life  by  threatening 
that  the  God  of  heaven  would  surely  take  his  kingdom 
from  him  if  he  did  so  evil  a  thing.  This  caused  the  king 
to  seriously  think  over  the  matter,  for  he  would  not  lose 
his  power  and  glory.  And  he  dreamed  a  dream  but 
would  not  call  upon  Daniel  for  an  interpretaton,  for  fear 
it  might  be  evil.  But  after  finding  none  among  the  wise 
men  that  could  tell  an  interpretation,  he  at  last  called 
for  Daniel  and  said: 

"0  Daniel,  thou  master  of  the  astrologers,  because  I 
know  that  the  spirit  of  the  holy  Gods  is  in  thee,  and  no 
secret  is  hidden  from  thee,  tell  me  the  interpretation  of 
my  dream.  I  saw  and  beheld  a  great  tree  in  the  midst 
of  the  earth  high  unto  the  heavens  and  visible  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth.  I  saw  and  behold  a  watcher  descended 
from  heaven  and  cried  aloud:  ''Hew  the  tree  down,  cut 
off  his  branches  and  scatter  his  fruit,  and  let  his  portion 
be  with  the  beasts  of  the  fields.  This  dream,  I,  King 
Nebuchudnezzar  have  seen,  and  now  thou  wisest  of  wise 
men  declare  unto  me  the  interpretation."  Now  was  Daniel 
somewhat  undone  and  knew  not  how  to  answer,  and  asked 
an  hour's  time  for  answering,  and  related  the  thing  to 
Reason  and  consulted  with  him. 

Reason  could  neither  interpret  dreams  nor  foretell 
events  by  the  configuration  of  the  stars,  but  he  could 
employ  the  king's  superstition  for  his  own  interest  and 
as  a  weapon  in  his  strife  to  save  his  companion. 

"  The  dream  is  of  thy  threatenings  and  a  fortunate  one 
to  interpret"  he  said.  "Tell  the  king  that  the  Goda 
give  him  warning  in  relation  to  Humanity.  Tell  him 
that  he  is  the  tree  and  the  hewer  the  God  of  heaven  and 
that.if  he  forsook  not  his  intention  of  sacrificing  Human- 


76  THE   TABLEAU. 

ity  to  the  image,  he  should  be  smitten  of  God;  his  heart 
changed  into  a  beast  heart,  that  he  should  eat  grass  and 
dwell  with  the  beasts  of  the  fields.  This  do  if  he  may 
be  frightened  and  deliver  unto  us  Humanity." 

So  Daniel  went  to  the  king  and  delivered  the  interpre 
tation.  But  the  king  spake  and  said:  "  Is  not  this  great 
Babylon  which  I  have  caused  to  be  built  for  the  strong 
hold  of  my  kingdom  by  the  might  of  my  power  and  for 
the  honor  of  my  majesty?  Nay,  there  is  none  that  can 
take  it  away,"  and  Daniel  gained  nothing. 

The  terrible  day  of  the  great  demonstration  was  close 
at  hand  and  yet  there  was  no  hope  for  saving  Humanity. 

Reason  accompanied  Daniel  to  the  temple  one  day  in 
his  rounds  of  duty  and  watched  the  preparations  for  the 
Doming  event.  As  he  was  inspecting  the  construction  of 
the  great  image  a  bright  thought  came  to  his  mind  by 
which  he  saw  a  chance  to  rescue  his  companion. 

The  head  of  the  image  was  so  constructed  that  by 
withdrawing  a  bolt  it  would  fall  from  its  bearings  upon 
the  middle  altar  designed  for  Humanity. 

Daniel  had  free  access  to  any  part  of  the  Temple  and 
at  any  time  during  the  preparation.  Therefore  Reason 
•explained  to  him  his  discovery  which  pleased  him  very 
much,  for  though  Daniel  loved  his  master  and  sought  his 
welfare,  he  loved  Humanity  more.  Therefore  they  pre 
pared  for  the  frustration  of  the  offering  by  causing  a 
panic  and  in  the  confusion  endeavor  to  take  Humanity 
from  the  priests  to  a  place  of  safety. 

'  On  the  morning  of  the  great  day  Daniel  went  to  the 
Temple  to  make  certain  that  all  was  in  good  order 
and  hid  in  the  inside  of  God  which  wa°  quite  roomy 
and  was  entered  by  a  door  from  the  rear.  Thus  he 
.awaited  the  worshipers  and  when  the  high  priest  was 
blessing  the  sacrifice,  and  the  fire  kindled  to  receive 


,  -•—:.-  THE   TABLEAU.  77 

Humanity — when  it  was  silent,  Daniel  broke  out  in  a 
loud  voice  with  his  terrible  interpretation — the  brass 
walls  of  the  image  giving  it  a  sound  like  thunder,  and 
when  he  had  finished  he  withdrew  the  bolt  and  the  God 
head  fell  upon  the  altar.  The  kindled  flames  soon  rose 
around  it  and  in  a  short  time  the  figure  was  transformed 
into  a  shapeless  mass. 

Reason  had  no  trouble  to  lead  away  his  companion. 
The  priests  fled  in  terror  and  confusion  and  left  her  alone. 
She  was  soon  safe  in  the  house  of  Daniel  who  joined  them 
after  having  ministered  to  the  needs  of  his  office.  Daniel 
was  glad  to  meet  Humanity  but  the  madness  of  the  king 
grieved  him  for  he  loved  him.  But  Reason  said:  "Let 
it  not  trouble  you.  Humanity  is  more  than  the  king; 
besides  he  may  soon  be  well  again.  As  for  thee  them 
hast  lost  nothing,  for  the  voice  that  pronounced  the  in 
terpretation  upon  the  king  and  the  hand  that  dislodged 
the  head  of  the  image  must  fearfully  terrorize  the  people. 
By  referring  to  the  invisible  God  of  heaven,  to  your  God, 
thy  authority  shall  be  great  and  thy  future  is  safe.  As 
for  us  we  shall  continue  our  journey  into  the  land  east* 
ward."  And  so  they  did.  f 

NOTE— The  reader  will  understand  that  the  preceding  descriptions  are  TV  t 
imposed  as  truth,  but  merely  to  show  how  such  iuci'  £nts  really  cau  and  do  occur* 
Cunning  and  skill  are  the  greatest  gods  out. 


BUDDHISM. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

N  the  borders  of  Nepaul  southward  under  the  snows 
of  the  Hymalays,  dwelled  a  pious  people  and  a 
just  king.  Queen  Maya  had  safely  born  a  son 
and  the  king  gave  orders  that  the  town  should 
take  festival  for  his  welfare.  Therefore  the  ways  were 
swept,  rose  odors  sprinkled,  streets  ornamented  with  flags 
and  flowers,  free  exhibitions  by  swordplayers,  contortion 
ists,  jugglers,  charmers,  singers,  swingers,  rope  dancers, 
masqueraders,  and  musicians,  to  entertain  and  make  hap 
py  the  people.  Also  from  neighboring  provinces  on  tid 
ings  of  this  birth,  came  noblemen  bringing  rich  gifts  in 
homage  to  the  new  born  prince.  Also  came  a  gray  haired 
sage,  famed  over  the  land  for  wise  and  good — beholding 
the  child,  complimented  and  said:  "  Know,  0  King!  This 
is  a  blossom  on  our  human  tree  which  opens  once  in  ages, 
but  opened  fills  the  world  with  wisdom's  scent  and  loves 
dripping  honey — from  this  royal  root  a  heavenly  lotus 
shall  spring — a  Buddha.  Ah!  Happy  House!"  and  he 
worshiped  the  babe  and  went  forth  rejoicing. 

Now  the  king  being  concerned,  and  desiring  not  that 
his  prince  be  inflicted  with  the  trials  and  sufferings  of  the 
life  of  a  Buddha,  held  counsel  with  his  ministers  as  how 
he  might  save  him. 

And  they  said,  "  Let  the  king  build  a  pleasure  garden, 
a  bower  for  his  prince.  Let  him  not  commingle  with  the 
common  things  of  life.  Let  him  know  not  of  sickness 
or  death  or  other  sorrows  of  life.  Let  him  not  see  woe, 


THE   TABLEAU.  79 

and  he  shall  not  know  it  and  therefore  not  desire  to  heal. 
In  a  word,  satisfy  his  desires  that  he  may  have  none. 
Make  his  bower  large,  and  let  nothing  unpleasant  enter 
into  it;  therein  he  shall  be  happy  and  remain  in  thy 
presence." 

This  the  king  did,  and  Prince  Siddartha  dwelt  in  para 
dise.  But  when  the  prince  gained  in  years,  he  lifted  his 
eyes  desiriously  upon  the  walls,  craving  for  knowledge 
of  the  other  side.  So  much  did  he  muse  on  the  mystery, 
that  he  became  unhappy  and  restless.  The  king  being 
informed  of  this  ordered  another  garden  to  be  built  sur 
rounding  the  innermost,  that  he  might  satisfy  the  prince 
by  leading  him  outside  of  the  walls.  This  made  the 
prince  happy  and  for  many  days  he  roamed  and  rode 
amidst  the  scenery  of  the  new  and  larger  field,  but  again 
the  things  became  old  and  the  substance  to  entertain 
exhausted,  and  another  addition  was  made,  but  the  in 
creasing  power  of  Siddartha's  mind  and  body  soon  desired 
more  than  being  hedged  between  walls.  Therefore  the 
king  was  made  uneasy  and  sought  again  the  counsel  of 
his  ministers. 

The  eldest  answered:  "Your  Majesty!  Love  will  take 
away  these  thin  distempers.  A  maiden's  touch  can  stay 
the  thought  which  gates  and  walls  cannot  hold.  This  do 
my  king:  Command  a  festival  in  which  the  maids  of  the 
kingdom  shall  be  competitors  in  grace  and  beauty  for  the 
admiration  of  the  prince.  Let  love  be  kindled  by  loveli 
ness  and  thereby  lead  his  highness  unto  happiness." 

This  pleased  the  king,  and  criers  were  sent  forth  to  bid 
the  maidens  to  come  to  the  palace  unto  judgment.  Then 
flocked  in  the  lovely  ones,  each  with  her  dark  hair  gaily 
arranged,  and  attired  in  the  gayest. ,  A  fair  show  it  was. 
Slow  pacing  past  the  throne  they  went  with  their  eyes 
fixed  on  the  ground,  for  when  they  saw  the  prince,  their 


80  THE    TABLEAU. 

fluttering  hearts  gave  a  bound  for  he  sat  so  passionless, 
so  far  away.  Each  took  her  gift  and  fled  to  hide  with 
her  mates.  Thus  they  filed,  one  bright  maid  after  another, 
the  flowers  of  the  kingdom.  The  beautiful  march  was 
ending,  the  prizes  were  spent,  when  last  came  yet  a  maid. 
As  the  radiant  girl  approached  she  looked  smiling  into 
Siddartha's  eyes  and  asked:  "Is  there  a  gift  for  me ?" 
This  made  the  princely  boy  start  and  he  must  also  smile. 

"The  gifts  are  gone,"  he  said,  "yet  take  this  for 
amends."  Therewith  he  took  the  emerald  necklet  oif  his 
neck  and  clasped  it  unto  hers.  Their  smiles  mingled 
again,  and  thereof  sprang  love.  For  a  while  the  prince 
was  happy  in  the  sweets  of  love,  but  ere  long  there  came 
to  the  king  his  charioteer  and  said: 

"My  lord!  Thy  son  wills  that  his  chariot  be  yoked, 
that  he  may  ride  abroad  and  see  mankind.  He  continu 
ally  muses  at  the  outer  gate  and  begs  to  be  taken  beyond.'' 

Then  said  the  king,  "He  can  be  hedged  no  longer, 
therefore  let  criers  go  abroad  and  bid  the  city  to  deck 
itself.  Let  the  blind,  the  lame,  the  sick,  the  aged,  go  into 
hiding.  Let  the  city  be  made  like  unto  the  garden  and 
take  my  son  and  show  him  about." 

So  all  was  put  in  trim  and  Siddartha  drove  out. 

*  Drive,  my  charioteer,"  he  said,  "that  I  may  see  more 
of  this  gracious  world." 

So  they  passed  through  the  gates  where  a  crowd  was 
waiting,  and  as  they  approached  they  broke  into  a  joyful 
shout,  which  caused  the  prince  to  be  afraid,  but  the  char 
ioteer  comforted  him,  and  the  new  sights  soon  made  him 
happy.  As  they  drove  through  the  crowded  streets,  there 
came  from  a  sideway,  an  old  old  man,  haggard  and  in 
rags.  His  bony  hand  clenched  a  staff  to  rest  his  quiver 
ing  limbs.  The  wandering  eye  of  the  prinee  soon  rested 
on  him  and  he  asked  of  the  charioteer: 


THE    TABLEAU.  81 

f     "What  means  this?" 

Those  standing  about  saw  not  the  wretch  come  forth, 
being  intently  beholding  the  prince,  but  now  they  hast 
ily  wrenched  him  out  of  sight,  whereon  the  prince  turned 
to  the  charioteer  and  asked: 

"Was  it  a  man?" 

Then  he  answered:    "Yes  sweet  Prince,  an  aged  man." 

After  Siddartha  had  sat  in  silence  sometime  he  asked: 

"  Does  it  come  to  others  too,  or  to  all?  " 

"  Most  noble,"  answered  the  charioteer,  "  age  comes  to 
all  men." 

"To  me,  to  you?"  quoth  the  prince. 

"If  we  live." 

"And  if  I  live  not,  what  then?  " 

"  Die." 

"Die?     And  what  then?" 

A  mournful  cry  from  the  wayside  excused  the  chario 
teer  from  answering.  A  man  had  fallen  in  a  fit  and  lay 
quivering  in  the  dust. 

"What  means  this?"  asked  the  prince  again.  "See 
how  pitifully  he  gasps  and  moans." 

"A  plague  is  upon  him." 

"Are  there  many  with  the  plague  upon  them?" 

"  It  comes  in  many  forms,  and  many  are  the  victims." 

Then  the  prince  turned  away  with  tearful  eyes,  and  said: 

"  Drive  home  again,  'tis  far  enough,  I  have  seen  that 
which  I  did  not  hope  to  see." 

Now,  when  he  had  returned  to  his  court,  he  was  as  one 
bereaved.  He  ate  not,  nor  drank,  nor  looked  up  when 
his  companion  spoke  to  cheer  him.  Thinking,  therefore, 
that  she  had  become  unworthy  in  his  sight,  she  sank  to 
his  feet  sighing:  "  Can  I  no  more  comfort  thee?" 

"Ah  sweetheart ! "  he  said  "  Such  comfort  as  I  now 
require  is  not  found  until  I  know  that  death  is  dead. 


IKE   TABLEAU. 

First  we  must  grow  old,  loveless,  unlovely,  weak  and 
bowed,  then  the  life,  the  love  fades  away.  This  have  I 
found  and  darkness  is  upon  me.  My  heart  and  mind  is 
fixed  to  think  of  a  way  by  which  the  sweets  of  love 
might  be  saved  from  the  slayer — time,  who  makes  us  old. 
But  me  thinks  it  is  not  found  in  this  my  bower,  me  thinks 
'tis  out  among  the  aches,  by  purging  things  which  make 
the  ache,  by  striving  with  the  things  that  strive,  and  lay 
them  low,  and  thus  win  a  way  to  eave  that  which  we 
love.  The  vail  is  rent  which  blinded  me.  My  idleness 
is  foul,  and  longer  idle  be — this  will  I  not  while  men 
moan  and  writhe.  I  will  depart  and  seek  to  stay  the 
things  I  fear,  if  fervent  search  and  strife  avail." 

That  night  when  sleep  had  hushed  the  palace,  Sid 
dartha  arose  from  his  bed,  kissed  his  sleeping  lady  love, 
and  sought  the  charioteer. 

"Awake,  and  bring  my  horse,"  he  said,  but  the  chario 
teer  knew  not  what  he  meant,  and  therefore  he  answered: 
"To  ride  at  night  in  darkness?  What  is  with  thee?" 

"Speak  low,"  said  the  prince.  "Go  bring  my  horse. 
This  night  I  shall  leave  this  golden  prison  to  find  the 
truth,  not  to  return  till  'tis  found." 

After  some  reasoning  the  charioteer  went  to  his  task 
mournfully  and  soon  the  two  riders  left  the  gates  behind 
•and  spurred  their  steeds  into  the  night. 

When  the  day  dawned,  Siddartha  drew  his  rein,  and 
leaping  to  the  earth,  thanked  the  charioteer,  in  kind 
words,  gave  him  his  horse,  his  robes,  his  jewels,  his  sword, 
and  said: 

"Give  the  king  all,  and  say  Siddartha  prays  to  be  for 
gotten  till  he  comes  again  with  knowledge  of  the  things 
beyond  the  prison  house — with  knowledge  how  to  make 
all  earth  a  golden  palace." 


THE   TABLEAU.  83 

With  sobs  and  tears  the  good  charioteer  embraced  his 
master  and  departed. 

Siddartha  stood  unknown  and  alone  in  the  wide,  wide 
world.  He  wandered  and  mused  and  wandered  again. 
He  suffered  when  he  saw  suffering,  and  was  glad  when 
he  saw  gladness.  From  morn  till  in  the  night  he  some 
times  sat  lost  in  meditation,  taking  no  food  and  going 
sleepless  over  the  woes  of  man.  Thus  he  wore  away  his 
life  and  became  bent  with  grief,  that  no  aid  was  found. 
One  day  he  wandered  again  in  the  heat  of  the  sun  and 
was  overcome  and  fell  in  a  swoon  to  the  earth.  Thus  he 
lay  unconscious  when  there  came  by  that  way,  other  poor 
wanderers,  Reason  and  Humanity.  They  immediately 
brought  him  into  the  shade  of  a  tree  by  the  path,  also 
poured  strengthful  drops  upon  his  parched  lips.  Of  the 
tender  and  adapted  treatment  he  soon  regained  conscious 
ness,  and  on  opening  his  eyes,  Humanity  spoke  kindly  to 
him,  and  offered  him  healthful  mixtures  and  wine,  where 
upon  he  spoke  and  said: 

"  Now  I  have  learned  one  truth.  I  strain  too  much  this 
string  of  life,  meaning  to  save  the  world,  I  perish.  Now 
that  I  see  this,  my  eyes  are  dim  and  my  strength  is  gone 
away.  Would  that  I  had  such  help  as  man  must  have, 
for  I  shall  die  and  leave  the  world  in  want  of  that  which 
I  seek." 

"  Speak  not  so,  my  brother,  you  shall  not  die,  you  shall 
soon  be  well.  Drink  again."  As  he  drank,  he  felt 
strength  and  life  return,  as  though  the  nights  of  watching 
and  days  of  wandering  had  passed  in  a  dream. 

Feeling  thus  restored  he  asked: 

"  Good  woman,  what  may  this  helpful  drink  be  that 
you  gave?  It  made  me  well,  'tis  that  which  I  seek." 

Then  said  Humanity,  "  'Tis  a  mixture,  gained  by  long 
and  painful  search.  In  times  of  fearful  pain,  or  times  of 


84  THE   TABLEAU. 

weakness,  for  fear  of  losing  life,  we  ate  of  an  herbage, 
then  another,  and  another,  if  thereby  we  might  retain 
ease  and  strength,  and  then  at  last  we  came  upon  the 
herbage  in  this  drink. 

" Does  the  herbage  cure  all  sickness — death?" 

"Nay,  not  the  herbage  of  this  state,  but  we  are  now  on 
the  journey  into  a  state  where  such  herbage  may  be 
found." 

"Tell  me  more  of  that  state  for  that  is  which  I  seek." 

Just  then  Reason  returned  from  a  quest  for  food  and 
shelter  for  Siddartha. 

"  This  is  my  companion,"  said  Humanity,  "  ask  of  him 
whatsoever  you  desire  and  learn  the  truth." 

Then  Humanity  went  to  prepare  the  food  which  Reason 
had  brought  while  the  m«n  conversed.  Eagerly  did  Sid 
dartha  listen  to  Reason's  counsel.  As  the  drink  of 
Humanity  had  strengthened  his  body,  so  the  counsel  of 
Reason  strengthened  and  quickened  his  spirit. 

"  Seven  long  years  I  have  sought  for  what  I  found  this 
day.  Sometime,  somewhere,  death  shall  die,  this  I 
believe  and  am  satisfied.  The  world  shall  be  safe  at  last, 
and  with  it  all  flesh  in  the  state  of  blest  Nirvana.  The 
aches  shall  end,  and  life  shall  glide  into  nameless  quiet, 
nameless  joy,  sinless,  peaceful,  a  change  which  never 
changes."  With  the  taking  up  of  this  faith  came  peace 
into  Siddartha's  heart.  The  blue  skies  were  again  beau 
tiful,  the  flowers  and  the  songs  of  birds  sweet,  and  at  the 
thought  of  those  he  loved,  came  sudden  bliss,  as  if  love 
should  fail  no  more.  Then  he  arose,  radiant  and  strong 
beneath  the  tree  and  lifting  his  voice,  he  broke  out  saying: 

"  Many  a  house  hath  held  me,  from  golden  walls  to 
troubled  senses,  sore  were  the  gloomy  cells.  But  now  I 
know  them,  never  shall  their  gloom  surround  me  again, 
never  shall  their  walls  be  built  to  hold  me  in  delusion. 


THE   TABLEAU.  85 

Safe  pass  I  home,  deliverance  hath  come.  After  taking 
refreshments,  Siddartha  led  the  way  towards  his  native 
land.  Reason  and  Humanity  must  accompany  him  for 
he  would  not  have  it  otherwise.  As  they  entered  the  vil 
lages  of  his  father's  kingdom,  there  ran  a  wisper:  "Pis 
the  Prince"  and  messengers  were  sent  to  the  king  to 
report  his  return. 

Great  was  the  joy  in  the  palace  at  this  message  and 
the  court  turned  out  to  meet  him. 

When  the  king  saw  him,  he  brake  in  tears  of  gladness 
and  embraced  him,  then  came  the  princess  and  his 
daughter,  a  dove-eyed  child.  A  demand  came  from  all 
sides  to  know  of  his  sojourn  and  what  he  found.  There 
fore  when  the  palace  porch  was  reached,  he  turned  to  the 
mass  and  spoke  these  things: 


OM,  AMITAYA!  measure  not  with  words 

Th'  Immeasurable:  nor  sink  the  string  of  thought 
Into  the  Fathomless.    Who  asks  doth  err, 

Who  answers,  errs.    Say  nought! 

The  books  teach  darkness  was,  at  first  of  all, 
And  Brahm,  sole  meditating  in  that  night: 

Look  not  for  Brahm  and  the  begmaieg  there! 
Nor  him,  nor  any  light 

Shall  any  gazer  see  with  mortal  eyes, 

Or  any  searcher  know  by  mortal  raind, 

Veil  after  veil  will  lift— but  there  must  be 
Veil  upon  veil  behind. 

Stars  sweep  and  question  not.    This  is  enough 
That  life  and  death  and  joy  and  woe  abide; 

And  cause  and  sequence,  and  the  course  of  time, 
And  being's  ceaseless  tide, 

WhUh,  ever-changing,  runs,  linked  like  a  river 
By  ripples  following  ripples,  fast  or  slow — 

The  same  yet  not  the  same— from  f  ar-off  fountain 
To  where  its  waters  flow 

Into  the  seas.  These,  steaming  to  the  sun, 

Give  the  lost  wavelets  back  in  cloudy  fleece 

To  trickle  down  the  hills  and  glide  again; 
Haying  no  pause  or  peace. 


86  THE   TABLEAU. 

This  is  enough  to  know,  the  phantasms  are; 

The  heavens,  earths,  worlds  and  changes  changing  then* 
A  mighty  whirling  wheel  of  strife  and  »tre*g 

Which  none  can  stay  or  stem. 

Pray  not!  the  darkness  will  not  brighten!    Ask 
Nought  from  the  silence,  for  it  cannot  speak! 

Vex  not  your  mournful  minds  with  pious  painz?! 
Ah!  brothers,  sisters!  seek 

Nought  from  the  helpless  gods  by  gift  and  aymn, 

Nor  bribe  with  blood,  nor  feed  with  fruit  and  cakes; 

Within  yourselves  deliverance  must  be  sought; 
Each  man  his  prison  makes. 

Each  hath  such  lordship  as  the  loftiest  ones; 

Nay,  for  with  powers  above,  around,  below, 
As  with  all  flesh  and  whatsoever  lives, 

Act  maketh  joy  and  woe. 

What  hath  been  bringeth  what  shall  be,  and  is, 
Worse— better— last  for  first  and  first  for  lagt; 

The  Angels  in  the  heavens  of  gladness  reap 
Fruits  of  a  holy  past. 

The  devils  in  the  underworlds  wear  out 

Deeds  that  were  wicked  in  an  age  gone  by. 

Nothing  endures:  fair  virtues  waste  with  timo, 
Foul  sins  grow  purged  thereby. 

Who  toiled  a  slave  may  come  anew  a  prince 

For  gentle  worthiness  and  merit  won; 
Who  ruled  a  king  may  wander  earth  in  rags 

For  things  done  and  undone. 

Higher  than  Indra's  ye  may  lift  your  lot, 
And  sink  it  lower  than  the  worm  or  gnat; 

The  end  of  many  myriad  lives  is  this, 
The  ends  of  myriads  that. 

Only,  while  turns  this  wheel  invisible, 

No  pause,  no  peace,  no  staying-place  can  be; 

Who  mounts  will  fall,  who  falls  may  mount;  the  spokes 
Go  round  unceasingly! 


If  ye  lay  bound  upon  the  wheel  of  change. 

And  no  way  were  of  breaking  from  the  chain, 
The  heart  of  boundless  being  is  a  curse, 

The  soul  of  things  fell  pain. 

• 

Ye  are  not  bound !  the  soul  of  things  is  sweet,     f 
The  heart  of  being  is  celestial  rest; 

Stronger  than  woe  is  will:  that  which  was  good 
Doth  pass  to  better— best. 


THE    TABLEAU.  87 

I,  Buddh,  who  wept  with  all  my  brothers'  tears, 

Whose  heart  was  broken  bj  a  whole  world's  woe, 

Laugh  and  am  glad,  for  there  is  liberty! 
Ho!  ye  who  suffer !  know 

Ye  suffer  from  yourselves.    None  else  compels, 

None  other  holds  you  that  ye  live  and  die, 
And  whirl  upon  the  wheel,  and  hug  and  kiss 

Its  spokes  of  agony, 

Its  tire  of  tears,  its  nave  of  nothingness. 

Behold,  I  show  you  truth !    Lower  than  hel 
Higher  than  heaven,  outside  the  utmost  stars, 

Farther  than  Brahm  doth  dwell, 

Before  beginning,  and  without  an  end, 

As  space  eternal  and  as  surety  sure, 
Is  fixed  a  Power  divine  which  moves  to  good, 

Only  its  laws  endure. 

This  is  its  touch  upon  the  blossomed  rose, 

The  fashion  of  its  hand  shaped  lotus  leaves. 
In  dark  soil  and  the  silence  of  the  seeds 

The  robe  of  spring  it  weaves; 

That  is  its  painting  on  the  glorious  clouds, 

And  these  its  emeralds  on  the  peacock's  train; 

It  hath  its  stations  in  the  stars;  its  slaves 
In  lightning,  wind,  and  rain. 

Out  of  the  dark  it  wrought  the  heart  of  man, 

Out  of  dull  shells  the  pheasant's  pencilled  neck; 

Ever  at  toil,  it  brings  to  loveliness 
All  ancient  wrath  and  wreck. 

The  gray  eggs  in  the  golden  sun-bird's  nest 

Its  treasures  are,  the  bees'  six-sided  cell 
Its  honey-pot;  the  ant  wots  of  its  ways, 

The  white  doves  know  them  well. 

It  spreadeth  forth  for  flight  the  eagle's  wings 

What  time  she  beareth  home  her  prey;  it  sends 

The  she-wolf  to  her  cubs;  for  unloved  things 
It  findeth  food  and  friends. 

It  is  not  marred  nor  stayed  in  any  use, 

All  liketh  it;  the  sweet  white  milk  it  brings 
To  mothers'  breasts;  it  brings  the  white  drops,  too, 

Wherewith  the  young  snake  stings. 

The  ordered  music  of  the  marching  orbs 

It  makes  in  viewless  canopy  of  sky: 
In  dtep  abyss  of  earth  it  hides  up  gold, 

Sards,  sapphires,  lazuli. 


88  THE    TABLEAU. 

J 

Ever  and  ever  bringing  secrets  forth, 

It  sitteth  in  the  green  of  forest-glades 
Nursing  strange  seedlings  at  the  cedar's  root, 
Devising  leaves,  blooms,  blades. 

It  slayeth  and  it  saveth,  nowise  moved 
Except  unto  the  working  out  of  doom: 

Its  threads  are  love  and  life;  and  death  and  pain 
The  shuttles  of  its  loom. 

It  maketh  and  unmaketh,  mending  all. 

What  it  hath  wrought  is  better  than  hath  been; 

Slow  grows  the  splendid  pattern  that  it  plans 
Its  wistful  hands  between 

This  is  its  work  upon  the  things  ye  see, 

The  unseen  things  are  more;  men's  hearts  and  minds, 
The  thoughts  of  peoples  and  their  ways  and  wills, 

Those,  too,  the  great  law  binds. 

Cnseen  it  helpeth  ye  with  faithful  hands, 

Unheard  it  speaketh  stronger  than  the  storm. 

Pity  and  love  are  man's  because  long  stress 
Moulded  blind  mass  to  form.        ^ 

It  will  not  be  contemned  of  any  one: 

Who  thwarts  it  loses,  and  who  serves  it  gains; 

The  hidden  good  it  pays  with  peace  and  bliss, 
The  hidden  ill  with  pains. 

It  seeth  everywhere  and  marketh  all: 

Do  right— it  recompenseth !  do  one  wrong— 

The  equal  retribution  must  be  made, 
Though  DHARMA  tarry  long: 

It  knows  not  wrath  nor  pardon;  utter-true 

Its  measures  meet,  its  faultless  balance  weighs; 
Times  are  as  naught,  to-morrow  it  will  judge, 
Or  after  many  days. 

By  this  the  slayer's  knife  did  stab  himself; 

The  unjust  judge  hath  lost  his  own  defender; 
The  false  tongue  dooms  its  lie;  the  creeping  thief 

And  spoiler  rob,  to  render. 

Such  is  the  law  which  moves  to  righteousness, 
Which  none  at  last,  can  tu  n  aside  or  stay ; 

The  heart  of  it  is  love,  the  end  Of  it 

Is  peace  and  consummation  sweet.    Obey! 


The  books  say  well,  my  brothers!  each  man's  life 
The  outcome  of  his  former  living  is; 

The  bygone  wrongs  bring  forth  sorrows  and  woes 
The  bygone  right  breeds  bliss. 


THE    TABLEAU.  89 

That  which  ye  sow  ye  reap.    See  yonder  fields! 

The  sesamum  was  sesamum,  the  corn 
Was  corn.    The  silence  and  the  darkness  knew; 

So  is  a  man's  fate  born. 

He  cometh,  reaper  of  the  things  he  sowed, 

Sesamum,  corn,  so  much  cast  in  past  birth; 
And  so  much  weed  and  poison  stuff,  which  mar 

Him  and  the  aching  earth. 

If  he  shall  labor  rightly,  rooting  these, 

And  planting  wholesome  seedlings  where  they! 

Fruitful  and  fair  and  clean  the  ground  shall  be. 
And  rich  the  harvest  due. 

If  he  who  liveth,  learning  whence  woe  springs, 

Endureth  patiently,  striving  to  pay 
His  utmost  debt  for  ancient  evils  done 

In  love  and  truth  alway; 

If  making  none  to  lack,  he  thoroughly  purge 

The  lie  and  lust  of  self  forth  from  his  blood; 
Suffering  all  meekly,  rendering  for  offence 

Nothing  but  grace  and  good:       ^ 

If  he  shall  day  by  day  dwell  merciful, 

Holy  and  just  and  kind  and  true;  and  rend 
Desire  from  where  it  clings  with  bleeding  roots, 

Till  love  of  life  have  end; 

He— dying— leaveth  as  the  sum  of  him 

A  life-count  closed,  whose  ills  are  dead  and  quit, 

Whose  good  is  quick  and  mighty,  far  and  near, 
So  that  fruits  follow  it. 

No  need  hath  such  to  live  as  ye  name  life  ; 

That  which  began  in  him  when  he  began 
Is  finished  :  he  hath  wrought  the  purpose  through 

Of  what  did  make  him  man. 

Never  shall  yearnings  torture  him,  nor  sins 

Stain  him'  nor  ache  of  earthly  joys  and' woes 
Inyade  his  safe  eternal  peace  ;  nor  deaths 

And  lives  recur.    He  goes 

Unto  NIRVAXA.    He  is  one  with  life 

Yet  lives  not.    He  is  blest,  ceasing  to  be. 
OM  MANI  FADE,  OH  !  the  dewdrop  slips 

Into  the  shining  sea! 


This  is  the  doctrine  of  KARMA.    Learn  ! 

Only  when  all  the  dross  of  sin  is  quit, 
Only  when  life  dies  like  a  white  flame  spent 

Death  dies  along  with  it. 


90  THE   TABLEAU. 

Say  not  "  I  am,"  "  I  was,"  or  '  I  shall  be." 

Think  not  ye  pass  from  house  to  house  of  flesh 

Like  travelers  who  rememher  and  forget, 
Ill-lodged  or  well-lodged.  Fresh 


Issues  upon  the  universe  that  sum 

Which  is  the  lattermost  of  lives.    It  makes 

Its  habitation  as  the  worm  spins  silk 
And  dwells  therein.    It  takes 

Function  and  substance  as  the  snake's-egg  hatched 
Takes  scale  and  fang  ;  as  feathered  reed-  seeds  fl* 

O'er  rock  and  loam  and  sand,  until  they  find 
Their  marsh  and  multiply. 

Also  it  issues  forth  to  help  or  hurt, 

When  death  the  bitter  murderer  doth  smite, 

Red  roams  the  unpurged  fragment  of  him,  driven 
On  wings  of  plague  and  blight. 

But  when  the  mild  and  just  die,  sweet  airs  breathe, 
The  world  grows  richer,  as  if  desert-stream 

Should  sink  away  to  sparkle  up  again 
Purer,  with  broader  gleam. 

Bo  merit  won  winneth  the  happier  age 

Which  by  demerit  halteth  short  of  end  : 

Yet  must  this  law  of  love  reign  king  of  all 
Before  the  Kalpas  end. 

What  lets?—  brothers  !  the  darkness  lets  !  which  breed 
Ignorance,  mazed  whereby  ye  take  these  shows 

For  true,  and  thirst  to  have,  and  having,  cling 
To  lusts  which  work  you  woes. 

Ye  who  will  tread  the  middle  road,  whose  course 
Bright  reason  traces  and  soft  quiet  smoothes  ; 

He  who  will  take  the  high  Nirvana-way 
List  the  four  noble  truths 

The  first  truth  is  of  Sorrow.    Be  not  mocked  ! 

Life  which  ye  prize  is  long-drawn  agony  : 
Only  its  pains  abide  ;  its  pleasures  are 

As  birds  which  light  and  fly. 

Ache  of  the  birth,  ache  of  the  helpless  days, 

Ache  of  hot  youth  and  ache  of  manhood's  prime  ; 

Ache  of  the  chill  giay  years  and  choking  death, 
These  fill  your  piteous  time, 

Sweet  is  love,  but  funeral-flames  must  kiss 

The  breasts  which  pillow  and  the  lips  which  cling  ; 

Gallant  is  warlike  might,  but  vultures  pick 
The  joints  of  chiefs  and  kings. 


THE   TABLEAU.  91 

Beauteous  is  earth,  but  all  its  forest-broods 

Plot  mutual  slaughter,  hungering  to  live  ; 
Of  sapphire  are  the  skies,  but  when  men  cry 

Famished,  no  drops  they  give. 

Ask  of  the  sick,  the  mourners,  ask  of  him 

Who  tottereth  on  his  staff,  lone  and  forlorn, 
«*Liketh  thee  life?"— these  say  the  babe  is  wis« 

That  weepeth,  being  born. 

The  second  truth  is  Sorrow's  Cause.    What  grief 

Springs  of  itself  and  springs  not  of  Desire  ? 
Senses  and  things  perceived  mingle  and  light 

Passion's  quick  spark  of  fire  : 

So  flameth  Trishna,  lust  and  thirst  of  things. 

Eager  ye  cleave  to  shadows,  dote  on  dreams  j 
A  false  self  in  the  midst  ye  plant,  and  make 

A  world  around  which  seems  ; 

Blind  to  the  height  beyond,  deaf  to  the  sound 

Of  sweet  airs  breathed  from  far  past  India's  sky  j 

Dumb  to  the  summons  of  the  true  life  kept 
For  him  who  false  puts  by. 

So  grow  the  strifes  and  lusts  which  makes  earth's  warv 
So  grieve  poor  cheated  hearts  and  flow  salt  tears  ; 

So  wax  the  passions,  angers,  hates  ; 
So  years  chase  blood-stained  years 

With  wild  red  feet.    So,  where  the  grain  should  grow, 

Spreads  the  biran-weed  with  its  evil  root 
And  poisonous  blossoms  ;  hardly  good  seeds  find 

Soil  where  to  fall  and  shoot ; 

And  drugged  with  poisonous  drink  the  soul  departs, 
And  fierce  with  thirst  to  drink  Karma  returns  ; 

Sense-struck  again  the  sodden  self  begins, 
And  new  deceits  it  earns.. 

The  third  is  Sorrow's  Ceasing.    This  is  peace 

To  conquer  love  of  self  and  lust  of  life, 
To  tear  deep-rooted  passions  from  the  breast, 

To  still  the  inward  strife  ; 

For  love  to  clasp  eternal  beauty  close  ; 

For  glory  to  be  lord  of  self,  for  pleasure 
To  live  beyond  the  gods  ;  for  countless  wealth 

To  lay  up  lasting  treasure 

Of  perfect  service  rendered,  duties  done 

In  charity,  soft  speech,  and  stainless  days  : 
These  riches  shall  not  fade  away  in  life, 

Nor  any  death  dispraise. 


THE   TABLEAU, 

Then  sorrow  ends,  for  life  and  death  have  ceased  ; 

How  should  lamps  flicker  when  their  oil  is  spent  ? 
The  old  aad  count  is  clear,  the  new  is  clean  ; 

Thus  hath  a  man  content. 

*  •  *  * 

The  fourth  truth  is  The  Way.    It  openeth  wide, 
•Plain  for  all  feet  to  tread,  easy  and  near, 

The  Noble  Eightfold  Path ;  it  goeth  straight 
To  peace  and  refuge.    Hear  ! 

Manifold  tracks  lead  to  yon  sister-peaks 

Around  whose  snows  the  gilded  clouds  are  curled  ; 
By  steep  or  gentle  slopes  the  climber  comes 

Where  breaks  that  other  world. 

Strong  limbs  may  dare  the  rugged  road  which  storms, 
Soaring  and  perilous,  the  mountain's  breast ; 

The  weak  must  wind  from  slower  ledge  to  ledge 
With  many  a  place  of  rest. 

So  is  the  Eightfold  Path  which  brings  to  peace  ; 

By  lower  or  by  upper  heights  it  goes. 
The  firm  soul  hastes  the  feeble  tarries.    All 

Will  reach  the  sunlit  snows. 

The  first  good  level  is  Right  Doctrine.    Walk 
In  fear  of  Dharma,  shunning  all  offence  : 

In  heed  of  Karma,  which  doth  make  man's  fate  ; 
In  lordship  over  sense. 

The  second  is  Right  Purpose.  Have  good  will 
To  all  that  lives,  letting  unkindness  die 

And  greed  and  wrath  ;  so  that  your  lives  be  made 
Like  soft  airs  passing  by. 

The  third  is  Right  Discourse.  Govern  the  lips 
As  they  were  palace-doors,  the  king  within  : 

Tranquil  and  fair  and  courteous  be  all  words 
Which  from  that  presence  win. 

The  fourth  is  Right  Behavior.    Let  each  act 

Assail  a  fault  or  help  a  merit  grow  : 
Like  threads  of  silver  seen  through  crystal  beads, 

Let  love  through  good  deeds  show. 

Four  higher  roadways  be.    Only  those  feet 

May  tread  them  which  have  done  with  earthly  thin 

Right  Purity,  Right  Thought,  Right  Loneliness, 
Right  Rapture.  Spread  no  wings. 

For  sunward  flight,  thou  soul  with  unplumed  vans  I 
Sweet  is  the  lower  air  and  safe,  and  known 

The  homely  levels  :  only  strong  ones  leav* 
The  nest  each  makes  his  own. 


THE   TABLEAU.  93 

Dear  is  the  love  I  know,  of  wife  and  child  ; 

Pleasant  the  friends  and  pastimes  of  your  years  : 
Fruitful  of  good  life's  gentle  charities  ; 

False,  though  firm-set,  its  fears. 

Live— ye  who  must— such  lives  as  lire  on  these ; 

Make  golden  stairways  of  your  weakness  ;  rise 
By  daily  sojourn  with  those  phantasies 

To  lovelier  verities. 

So  shall  ye  pass  to  clearer  heights  and  find 

Easier  accents  and  lighter  loads  of  sins, 
And  larger  will  to  burst  the  bonds  of  sense, 

Entering  the  path.    Who  wins 

To  such  commencement  hath  the  First  Stage  touched  ( 
He  knows  the  noble  truths,  the  Eightfold  Koad  ; 

By  few  or  many  steps  such  shall  attain 
NIRVANA'S  blest  abode. 

Who  standeth  at  the  Second  Stage,  made  free 

From  doubts,  delusions,  and  the  inward  strife, 

Lord  of  all  lusts,  quit  of  the  priests  and  books 
Shall  live  but  one  more  life. 

Yet  onward  lies  the  Third  Stage  :  purged  and  pure 

Hath  grown  the  stately  spirit  here,  hath  risen 
To  love  all  living  things  in  perfect  peace. 

His  life  at  end,  life's  prison 

Is  broken.    Nay,  there  are  who  surely  pass 

Living  and  visible  to  utmost  goal 
By  Fourth  Stage  of  the  holy  ones — the  Buddhs— 

And  they  of  stainless  soul. 

Lo  !  like  fierce  foes  slain  by  some  warrior, 

Ten  sins  along  these  stages  lie  in  dust, 
The  love  of  self,  false  faith,  and  doubt  are  there, 

Two  more,  hatred  and  lugt. 

Who  of  these  five  is  conqueror  hath  trod 

Three  stages  out  of  four  :  yet  there  abide 
The  love  of  life  on  earth,  desire  for  heaven, 

Self-praise,  error,  and  pride. 

As  one  who  stands  on  yonder  snowy  horn 

Having  naught  o'er  him  but  the  boundless  blue, 

So,  these  things  being  slain,  the  man  is  come 
NIRVANA'S  verge  unto. 

Him  the  gods  envy  from  their  lower  seats  ; 

Him  the  three  worlds  in  ruin  should  not  shake  ; 
All  life  is  lived  for  him,  all  deaths  are  dead  ; 

Karma  will  no  more  make 


94  THE   TABLEAU. 

New  houses.    Seeking  nothing,  he  gains  all ; 

Foregoing  self,  the  universe  grows  "  I "  : 
If  any  teach  NIRVANA  is  to  cease, 

Bay  unto  such  they  lie. 

If  any  teach  NIRVANA  is  to  live, 

Say  unto  such  they  err  ;  not  knowing  this, 

Nor  what  light  shines  beyond  their  broken  lamps, 
Nor  lifeless,  timeless  bliss. 

Enter  the  path!    There  is  no  grief  like  hate! 

No  pains  like  passions,  no  deceit  like  sense! 
Enter  the  path!  far  hath  he  gone  whose  foot 

Treads  down  one  fond  offence. 

Enter  the  path!    There  springs  the  healing  streams 

Quenching  all  thirst!  there  bloom  th'  immortal  flowers 

Carpeting  all  the  way  with  joy!  there  throng 
Swiftest  and  shortest  hours! 


More  is  the  treasure  of  law  than  gems  ; 

Sweeter  than  comb  its  sweetness  ;  its  delights 
Delightful  past  compare.    Thereby  to  live 

Hear  the  five  rules  aright : 

Kill  not— for  pity's  sake— and  lest  ye  slay 
Th«  meanest  thing  upon  its  upward  way. 

Give  freely  and  receive,  but  take  from  none 
By  greed,  or  force  or  fraud,  what  is  his  own. 

Bear  not  false  witness,  slander  not,  nor  lie  ; 
Truth  is  the  inward  speech  of  purity. 

Shun  drugs  and  drinks  which  work  the  wit  abuse  ; 
Clear  minds,  clean  bodies,  need  no  Soma  juice. 

Touch  not  thy  neighbor's  wife,  neither  commit 

Sins  of  the  flesh  unlawful  and  unfit. 

—Light  of  Asia. 


CHRISTIANITY, 


CHAPTER  X. 

battle  of  Actium  was  the  conclusion  of  the 
great  drama,  the  outcome  of  which  was  the 
famous  monarchy,  the  Roman  Empire.  With 
the  defeat  of  Antony,  and  the  fall  of  Cleopatra 
ended  the  war,  and  Civility  remained  absolute  master  of 
the  great  empire. 

Although  she  did  not  assume  the  title,  she  possessed 
all  the  authority  of  queenship  and  held  it  for  along  time. 

After  Augustus,  her  princely  general,  had  crushed  the 
enemy  by  the  force  of  arms,  she  applied  herself  to  recon 
cile  the  public  mind  to  the  new  order  of  things  by  benefi 
cence  and  moderation.  Concentrating  the  ruling  power 
in  her  own  person,  she  was  careful  to  retain  in  the  min 
istry  of  her  office  the  just  form  of  commonwealth.  By 
this,  she  made  herself  befriended,  and  gradually  accus 
tomed  the  Romans  to  a  new  political  constitution,  and 
became  in  her  generous  and  skillful  administrator — Agus- 
tus,  the  founder  of  an  empire,  unsurpassed  in  power, 
beneficence  and  justice. 

In  this  extensive  fold  dwelled  the  nations  united  in 
peace  and  protection,  the  Greeks,  the  Persians,  the 
Babylonians,  the  Syrians,  the  Hebrews  and  the  Egypt 
ians,  all  under  one  banner,  eating,  drinking,  and  worship 
ing  under  their  own  fig  tree  with  nothing  to  disturb  them. 

Civility,  with  her  benign  influence  in  contrast  to  the 
great  generals  of  Ambition,  such  as  Cyrus.,  Alexander, 
Hannibal,  Scipio,  Julius  Csesaiv  and  others,  had  won  the 
heart  of  nations,  and  Ambition  was  at  last  in  her  power. 


96 


THE   TABLEAU. 


Civility,  it  is  said,  was  a  princess  of  Eygpt,  but  had 
been  driven  from  her  Empire  by  an  Ambitious  mon 
arch,  and  wandered  aimlessly  among  the  nations  until 
she  met  with  Octavius,  surnamed  Augustus,  in  whose 
house  dwelt  Reason  and  Humanity.  Long  and  weary 
had  the  way  of  the  wanderers  been,  and  only  at  intervals 
they  found  any  that  would  entertain  them.  In  Greece 
alone  they  found  such  as  would  give  them  lodging  and 
refreshments.  With  Socrates  they  had  a  pleasant  revival 
and  afterwards  with  his  friend  Plato.  Here  they  were 
treated  to  the  very  best  in  store.  In  Plato,  Reason  found 
a  master  and  a  scholar  unsurpassed  in  his  time.  Under 
his  lectures  he  met  with  a  venerable  disciple  of 
Plato,  who  after  Plato  slept  offered  his  house,  but  soon 
the  great  war  broke  out  and  they  were  drifting  when 
they  met  Augustus.  With  him  at  last,  after  an  age  of 
wandering  amidst  the  terrible  wars  which  sifted  the 
nations,  they  found  rest  and  entertainment.  Augustus 
having  made  Reason  his  chief  counselor  was  successful  at 
every  turn  and  when  the  last  battle — the  seige  of  Egypt — 
was  won  and  Civility  had  regained  her  throne,  Reason 
and  his  companion  were  graciously  honored.  Reason 
was  appointed  as  highest  officer  of  the  court,  and 
Humanity  the  constant  companion  of  the  Princess  and 
Queen.  Therefore  it  came  about  that  the  administration 
of  Augustus  was  a  time  of  profound  and  universal  peace. 

The  Roman  Empire  thus  established,  by  its  vast 
extent  and  immediate  connection  of  the  various 
parts  of  the  world,  ended  not  only  all  civil  but  also  all 
religious  dissention.  The  greatest  faith-sect,  as  well  as 
the  smallest  had  equal  right  and  equal  protection. 

Yet  under  so  favorable  a  condition  there  were  proud  and 
selfish  regulators,  as  are  found  in  every  part  of  the  world, 
dissatisfied  because  they  are  not  at  the  head  of  nations. 


THE    TABLEAU.  97 

Such  an  insatiable  figure  appeared  in  the  land  of  the 
Hebrews,  an  ambitious  and  idolic  woman  in  disguise 
of  Humanity  titled  Christianity. 

She  was  the  only  daughter  of  a  Jewish  insurgent  who- 
made  open  attacks  on  the  institutions  of  his  country, 
and  endeavored  to  bring  his  daughter  into  favor  and 
honor.  But  his  design  was  soon  discovered  and  he  fled 
into  the  wilderness.  His  daughter  he  left  in  the  care  of 
one  Jesus,  an  illustrious  young  man,  his  partner,  and 
betrothed  to  Christianity. 

Jesus  enraged  over  the  authorities  for  interfering  with 
their  work,  which  he  called  work  of  Humanity  and  Char- 
ity  began  with  his  betrothed  a  bitter  defence  of  his  and 
her  divinity.  They  styled  themselves  the  Prince  and! 
Princess  of  God.  To  the  ignorant  they  applied  them 
selves  in  eloquence  and  mysteries,  to  the  poor  in  lament 
able  and  slander  words  over  the  authorities,  and  to  the 
sick,  in  mimic  consolations  and  treatment  for  a  living. 
Thus  they  made  their  victims  believe  that  they  were 
industrious  people  and  world  savers  from  heaven,  and 
gathered  into  their  command  a  great  multitude  who  pro 
claimed  Jesus  their  king.  But  Jesus  was  soon  after 
taken  into  judgment  by  the  Romans  and  found  guilty  of 
entitling  himself  "  King  of  the  Jews,"  and  was  sentenced 
according  to  law  and  was  crucified. 

This  incident  was  accompanied  by  an  earthquake 
which  was  applied  by  the  bereaved  and  revengeful  widow 
as  an  exhibition  of  the  displeasure  of  God  with  the* 
Romans.  Also  it  is  said,  that  after  he  was  buried  be 
came  to  life  again  and  remained  in  hiding  forty  days,, 
after  which  he  ascended  into  the  skies  and  said  that  he= 
would  come  again. 

With  loud  lamentations  over  her  grief  and  thess 
sayings,  Christianity  resumed  her  agitation.  The  apes- 

G 


^  THE    TABLEAU. 

ties  she  sent  forth,  denounced  the  Romans,  lamented 
Jesus,  threatened  the  fury  of  Gods,  and  boasted  of  Chris 
tianity.  Those  they  moved  not  by  denunciations,  they 
moved  by  lamentations,  and  those  that  were  not  moved 
by  fury,  were  moved  by  brilliant  promises  of  glory,  and 
by  being  thus  equipped  they  converted  multitudes  to 
join  in  the  cause. 

In  the  games  they  played  they  became  experts, 
and  a  precious  time  they  had.  By  this  they  made 
and  held  their  converts,  for  none  for  fury  sake  dare 
miss  them.  More  perhaps  than  all  other  peculiarities 
which  attracted  the  people,  were  these  solemn  games — 
their  feasts  and  division  of  property.  The  games  were 
three  in  number — Believe,  Baptism,  and  Communion. 
The  first  consisted  in  a  turn  of  imagination.  To  believe 
in  the  Gods,  in  man's  corruptness,  and  his  destiny  in  a 
hell  of  fire  everlasting.  This  belief  effected  distress  and 
terror  and  made  the  victim  weep  in  fear  and  agony. 
"Then  came  the  act  of  deliverance — in  the  mind — believe 
in  an  atonement  made  by  Jesus  the  crucified.  This 
belief  inspired  hope,  and  of  the  hope  sprang  joy,  such  joy 
as  is  experienced  by  a  child  believing  in  the  reality  of 
Santa  Glaus— the  joy  begins  with  the  first  ray  of  hope 
and  hope  with  faith. 

The  joy  thus  created  was  called  the  work  of  a  ghost, 
and  many  believed  the  effect  to  be  miraculous. 

The  second  game  consisted  in  an  immersion  of  the 
believer  in  water,  as  a  sign  of  his  purification  and  pre 
paration  for  glory. 

Communion  consisted  in  partaking  of  bread  and  wine — 
the  bread  a  symbol  of  the  body  of  Jesus  and  the  wine 
of  his  blood,  and  the  partaking  of  these  symbols  signi 
fied  their  equality  and  unity  and  brotherhood.  After 
this  the  property  was  divided.  The  feasts  were  also 


THE    TABLEAU.  W 

three    in    number — Christmas,   Easter    and    Pentecost, 
The  first,  the  birth  day  of  Jesus,  the  second,  his  resur 
rection,   and  the  third,   a  day  kept  in  honor  to    the 
ghosts. 

The  first  two  were  days  of  rejoicing  and  feasting,  and 
the  latter,  a  day  of  rehearsal  and  memorizing  of  ghos^ 
stories.  Many  of  these  games  were  routed  by  the  Romans 
and  the  leaders  persecuted,  but  the  stubborness  and  defy 
ing  spirit  imbued  in  converts  by  the  agitators,  made  them 
as  madmen  in  their  defense. 

Civility  had  united  her  affections  with  a  friend  of 
Reason,  titled  Tolerance,  a  very  mild  and  kind  hearted 
spirit.  Owing  to  his  mildness,  not  adapted  to  the  Roman 
Empire  it  came  about  that  Christianity  in  her  disguise 
and  mimic  games,  sooth-sayings,  and  lamentations  which 
Civility  was  led  to  consider  harmless  by  Tolerance,  and 
therefore  neglected  to  check  which  afterwards  proved  her 
ruin.  Christianity  extended  her  game  playing  into 
every  province  of  the  nation  and  became  a  great  body. 
With  one  Despot,  surnamed  Infallible,  she  united  her 
forces  and  no  sooner  were  they  united  when  they  arose 
for  dominion.  Despot  usurped  the  place  of  Reason,  and 
Christianity  of  Humanity,  conspired  against  the  Royal 
family  and  in  a  final  rebellion,  they  took  as  prisoners 
princess  Liberty.  Tolerance  and  Civility  only  saved 
themselves  by  flight.  The  speculations  of  divinity  and 
the  playing  of  games  and  ceremonies  were  made  the 
highest  of  duties.  Nunneries  of  monastic  superstition, 
and  the  austerities  of  the  ascetics,  were  substituted  in  the 
room  of  the  active  duties  of  justice  and  benevolence. 
Saints  were  deified,  the  power  of  priests  augmented  and 
celibacy  extolled,  religious  processions  appointed,  mon- 
astaries  and  nunneries  erected  without  number,  prayers 
offered  to  the  dead,  Jesus  and  his  virgin  mother  worshiped 


100  THE   TABLEAU. 

^ 

as  Gods,  the  sign  of  the  cross  venerated  as  capable  of 
warding  off  malignant  spirits,  the  bishops  aspired  after 
wealth  and  splendor,  errors  in  ideas  were  punished  with 
penalties  and  torture,  and  an  Inquisition  established  to 
bring  all  dissenters  to  feel  the  vengeance  of  God  and 
Despot  according  as  it  pleased  Divine  providence  to 
inspire. 

Thus  they  discarded  the  mild  and  beneficient  consti 
tution  of  Civility  and  adapted  the  ancient  Jewish  with 
an  addition  of  the  sooth-sayings  of  Christianity  and  pre 
scriptions  of  Despot. 

The  poor  deluded  victims  of  this  combination  soon  dis 
covered  their  error  and  endeavored  to  re-instate  Civility, 
but  they  fared  evil.  A  word  of  dissent  branded  them 
heretic  and  they  were  mercilessly  slain,  burned  or 
imprisoned.  r 


IDOLATRY 


CHAPTER  XL 

FTER  the  dethronment  of  Civility  the  wanderers 
resumed  their  journey.  Reason  made  many 
attempts  to  check  the  delusion,  but  was  declar 
ed  an  enemy  by  the  priests  who  sought  to 
destroy  him,  therefore  they  wandered  secretly  and 
endeavored  to  leave  this  terrible  land. 

They  had  nearly  reached  the  boundaries  and  found 
themselves  entering  a  more  agreeable  plane. 

Being  very  hungry  and  weary,  Reason  said  to  his 
companion : 

"  My  dear,  how  very  wearisome,  this  our  journey  is, 
I  pray  thee  rest  awhile  here  'till  I  go  for  food  that  we 
may  not  perish.  In  the  shade  of  yon  tree  you  may  rest 
safely  untill  I  return."  Saying  this  he  departed. 

Now  as  Humanity  had  rested  but  a  short  time  there 
came  a  gentleman  across  the  plain  towards  her.  Then 
Humanity  was  somewhat  afraid,  but  the  man  was  friend 
ly  and  said:  "How  now,  my  good  woman,  and  why  dost 
thou  stay  in  this  out  of  the  way  spot  in  desert  and 
wilderness?" 

"  Sir,"  said  she,  "I  am  a  wanderer  on  my  way  to  heaven 
and  the  way  leadeth  through  this  wilderness." 

"Have  you  any  companions?"  asked  he. 

"Yes,  I  have  one.  He  bade  me  stay  here  while  he 
went  to  find  us  some  food  that  we  may  not  perish,"  she 
answered. 

"Wilt  thou  harken  unto  me  if  I  give  thee  counsel?'' 
asked  the  man  further. 


102  THE   TABLEAU. 

"  If  it  be  of  good  counsel,  I  will,  for  I  stand  in  need  of 
good  counsel." 

"Then  listen  to  me,"  he  said,  "  I  would  advise  thee  to 
enter  the  gates  of  heaven  at  once  for  thou  wilt  never  be 
settled  in  thy  mind  until  then,  nor  canst  thou  enjoy  the 
beauties  of  life  until  thou  art  safe  from  danger." 

"  That  is  that  which  I  seek,  for  which  we  have  been 
wandering  this  long  time  in  deserts  and  in  the  wilderness 
for  its  attainment." 

"  Who  advised  thee  the  way  that  leads  through  this 
terrible  wilderness?" 

"  My  companion  whose  name  is  Reason." 

"  Cursed  be  his  counsel,  a  rebel  of  whom  I  have  heard 
before.  Believe  me,  my  good  woman,  there  is  not  a  more 
dangerous  and  fearful  way  than  is  that  which  he  is  seek 
ing  to  lead  thee.  That,  thou  shalt  find  if  thou  be  ruled 
by  his  counsel.  He  has  now  forsaken  thee  to  leave  thee 
die  in  this  lonely  spot.  Hear  me,  I  am  older  than  thou. 
Thou  art  like  to  meet  in  the  way  which  thou  hast  taken^ 
weariness,  painfulness,  hunger,  perils,  nakedness,  sword, 
— in  a  word,  death,  and  everlasting  burning  of  fire  and 
brimstone.  These  things  are  certainly  true,  being  con 
firmed  by  many  testimonials.  And  why?  I  ask  you  why? 
should  you  thus  throw  away  thy  life  on  behalf  of  this 
rebel  and  deceiver?" 

"  Why  sir,  this  is  terrible,"  said  Humanity. 

"  How  earnest  thou  first  by  this  awful  way?"  asked  he 
again. 

"  By  reflection  and  the  advise  of  my  companion,"  she 
said. 

"  I  thought  so,  and  it  has  happened  to  thee  like  many 
others  who  dream  and  meddle  with  things  too  high  for 
them  and  become  distracted,  which  distraction  completely 
upset  them,  as  I  perceive  is  thy  condition.  They  run 


THE   TABLEAU.  1U3 

them  into  desperate  ventures  to  obtain  they  know  not 
what." 

"  Sir,"  said  Humanity  sharply,  "  I  know  what  I  would 
obtain.  'Tis  life,  security  and  ease." 

"  But  why  wilt  thou  seek  for  ease  this  way,  seeing  so 
many  dangers  attend  it?  especially  since  I  could  direct 
thee  to  the  attaining  of  what  thou  desirest  without  the 
dangers  that  thou  in  this  way  wilt  run  thyself  into.  Yea, 
the  remedy  is  at  hand.  Besides,  I  will  add,  that  instead 
of  those  dangers,  thou  shalt  meet  with  much  gracefulness, 
safety  and  friendship." 

"I  pray  thee,"  said  Humanity,  "open  to  me  this 
secret." 

"  Why,"  said  the  man,  "  in  yonder  City,  the  capital  of 
our  noble  kingdom,  dwells  the  holy  father,  a  very 
judicious  gentleman  and  a  man  of  a  very  good  name  that 
has  skill  to  help  such  as  thee,  yea,  to  my  knowledge,  he 
hath  done  a  great  deal  of  good  this  way.  Aye,  aye,  and 
he  hath  skill  to  cure  those  somewhat  distracted  in  their 
wits.  To  him,  as  I  said,  thou  mayest  go  and  be  helped 
presently,  and  if  he  should  not  be  at  home  himself,  there 
are  servants  in  his  house  that  can  do  it  as  well  as  the- 
old  gentleman  himself.  There,  I  say,  thou  mayest  find 
comfort.  Mansions  are  there  furnished,  free  of  all  charges- 
by  the  father  himself.  In  these  mansions  thou  canst 
live  a  pure  and  holy  life,  free  from  all  care  and  sorrow, 
with  none  but  honest  and  holy  neighbors  in  constant 
peace  and  joy." 

Now  was  Humanity  undone.  The  honest  look  and  the 
earnestness  of  the  speaker  promised  more  than  he  had 
said,  and  she  asked  believingly,  "  Good  Sir,  which  is  my 
way  to  this  good  man's  house?" 

Then  he  answered,  "Do  you  see  yonder  arm  of 
timber?" 


104  THE    TABLEAU. 

"  I  see  it,"  she  said. 

"Well,  then,  when  you  get  to  that,  look  straight 
forward  for  the  other  side,  look  not  to  the  right  nor  to 
the  left,  for  by  looking  about  thou  wilt  be  in  danger  of 
losing  the  direction.  Also,  keep  every  seventh  tree 
holy,  keep  well  count  and  forget  not  to  pray  at  every 
seventh  tree.  This  do,  and  the  holy  father  will  greatly 
reward  you.  It  is  a  happy  way  and  a  more  happy  day 
when  you  get  there." 

So  Humanity  left  off  the  counsel  of  Reason  and  fol 
lowed  the  advice  of  a  stranger. 

She  went  into  the  timber  according  to  the  advice  and  on 
she  went.  She  prayed  and  kept  holy,  but  because  of  a 
rustling  in  the  leaves  she  became  bewildered  and  kept 
holy  the  eighths  instead  of  the  sevenths — she  knew  it  not. 
Another  time  while  praying  she  forgot  the  direction — 
she  knew  it  not  and  walked  and  walked.  She  wished 
she  had  not,  started.  Night  broke  in,  she  trembled  with 
fear  and  began  to  run,  knowing  not  whiiher.  Darkness 
soon  prevented  her  from  further  headway  and  she  sank 
to  the  ground  and  broke  into  cries  of  anguish  and  distress 
until  she  could  cry  no  more. 

Now  when  Reason  had  left  his  companion,  he  soon  dis 
covered  a  beautiful  villa,  and  another  near  by,  on  the 
slope  of  a  mountain  overlooking  a  rich  valley  and 
the  domes  and  towers  of  a  city. 

The  sight  of  the  villas,  and  the  aspect  of  the  surround 
ings  caused  a  thrill  of  delight  in  his  soul  and  recalled  to 
him  ancient  times.  The  hospitality  of  Plato  was  pic 
tured  in  the  aspect  and  without  knowing  it  Reason  stood 
lost  in  thought,  when  a  voice  compassed  him  :  "  A  beauti 
ful  scene,  the  borders  of  Science  and  the  domes  and 
towers  of  Florence." 

"  Very  beautiful,"  said  Reason  as  one  surprised. 


THE    TABLEAU.  105 

"My  little  villa  is  a  secluded  spot,  being  embossed 
among  the  woods,  but  overlooking  a  most  beautiful 
landscape — if  you  are  at  leisure  come  and  partake  with 
me  of  some  refreshments  which  are  in  waiting."  With 
delight  and  thanks  Reason  accepted  the  invitation. 
Soon  the  two  men  were  in  earnest  conversation,  forget 
ting  the  refreshment  of  the  body,  because  of  more  interest 
ing  refreshments  of  the  mind  which  the  conversation 
furnished.  The  man  of  the  villa  was  a  friend  of  Plato — 
none  other  than  the  brilliant  poet  Politian.  The  mention 
ing  of  Plato's  name — the  love  for  him  in  their  hearts 
caused  their  feelings  to  flow  together  and  made  them 
friends  in  a  moment.  Not  only  this,  but  also  the  posi 
tion  that  they  held  regarding  Infallible,  being  opposed  to 
him,  added  to  the  relation.  In  the  neighboring  villa 
dwelt  Pico  the  linguist,  also  a  Platonian  and  also  oppos 
ed  to  the  crimes  of  the  wicked  Infallible. 

After  a  pleasant  hour  with  the  poet,  Reason  departed 
with  cheerful  heart  that  he  might  return  with  his  com 
panion  to  share  the  hospitality  offered,  but  lo,  he  found  her 
not.  At  first  he  feared  he  had  not  remembered  the  place 
where  he  left  her,  but  on  recovering  from  the  dissappoint- 
ment,  he  was  certain  that  he  was  not  mistaken.  "  I  hope 
she  has  not  met  with  foul  play,"  he  said  to  himself. 

He  found  her  footsteps  leading  to  the  timber.  Hoping 
that  she  had  taken  a  stroll  for  pastime  he  followed,  but 
found  her  not.  Now  he  was  sore  afraid  of  losing  her  and 
called  her  name,  but  there  was  no  answer,  excepting  a 
weird  echo  which  almost  frightened  him.  He  endeavored 
to  follow  her  footprints  in  the  woods,  but  lost  them  over 
and  over  again,  yet  he  was  not  discouraged  for  he  saw  it 
was  his  only  way,  by  which  he  might  find  her.  With 
great  difficulties  he  pressed  forward.  Night  set  in  and 
he  sought  for  a  place  of  shelter.  Next  morning  he 


106  THE    TABLEAU. 

resumed  his  search  and  found  how  she  had  turned  this 
way  and  that  way  and  sometimes  crossed  herself. 
Thereby  he  perceived  that  she  was  wandering  aimlessly 
and  that  she  was  lost  in  the  wilderness.  He  continued 
his  search  until  another  night  stayed  him. 

Next  day  as  he  sat  on  the  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree,  not 
knowing  whither  to  wend  his  way,  he  was  startled  by  a 
faint  cry  as  if  it  were  the  cry  of  an  infant.  He  listened, 
again  he  heard  it,  but  was  at  a  loss  to  locate  the  direction 
from  whence  it  came.  As  he  held  his  breath  a  subdued 
groan  mingled  with  the  cry  of  the  child  was  heard. 
Amazed  at  this  peculiar  circumstance  he  hurried  in  the 
direction  from  whence  it  came.  He  had  only  gone  a  few 
steps  when  he  espied  the  form  of  a  woman  with  bleeding 
hands  and  feet,  her  clothing  torn,  and  her  face  buried  in 
her  hands  sitting  upon  the  dead  leaves  of  the  wilderness. 
With  tears  of  sympathy  in  his  eyes  and  with  a  bursting 
heart  lest  it  were  his  lost  companion,  he  dared  not 
approach.  The  babe  had  ceased  to  cry  and  the  woman 
was  as  if  she  were  dead.  He  soon  saw  that  she  was  none 
other  than  Humanity.  Oh,  that  he  knew  how  to  tell  her 
of  his  presence  without  disturbing  her,  but  he  knew  not, 
therefore  he  quietly  went  and  touched  the  hem  of  her 
garment.  With  a  thrill  of  dread  she  sprang  to  her  feet 
and  with  an  exclamation  of  joy  she  fell  in  his  arms. 

"Humanity  my  Darling,"  said  Reason,  "is  it  thee  that 
I  find  in  this  condition?  Oh,  how  thou  art  destroyed, 
but  I  feared  thou  hadst  been  consumed." 

"Would  that  I  were.    Oh  that  I  might  die,"  she  sighed. 

"  No,"  said  Reason,  do  riot  speak  thus.  Glad  am  I  to  find 
thee,  though  it  be  as  it  is.  Come  let  me  bind  thy  wounds 
and  wipe  thy  tear-stained  face  and  givs  thee  something 
to  quicken  thy  sick  life." 


DESPOTISM. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

FTER  Reason  had  bound  Humanity's  wounds  as 
best  he  could,  and  gave  her  food  such  as  he  hadr 
she  felt  somewhat  restored  and  he  was  able  to 
bring  her  to  Politian's  villa,  where  she  was  well 
taken  care  of.     During  her  illness  many  came  to  the 
villa  and,  on  beholding  her  bruises  and  learning  their 
cause,  were  moved  to  hate  the  powers  of  Infallible. 

Among  the  most  frequent  visitors  was  Pico  who  by  his- 
wit  and  flowery  language  shortened  the  hours.  Another 
was  Ficino,  the  Platonist,  who  by  reminiscences  of  the 
great  Socrates,  Plato  and  the  shrewd  Aristotle,  brightened 
the  day.  Another  was  Savonarola,  a  physician,  who  by 
the  condition  of  Humanity,  was  so  moved  as  to  resolve 
to  change  his  profession  and  become  a  reformer. 
Another  was  Lorenzo  de  Medici,  the  Governor  of  the 
Republic.  ^By  him  it  was  learned  that  Civility  and 
Tolerance  had  found  a  friend  in  his  father  Cosmo,  and 
still  dwelt  in  Florence  in  Lorenzo's  court.  These  were 
glad  tidings  for  Humanity  and  a  happy  meeting  of  long 
parted  friends  followed.  Lorenzo  de  Medici  had  followed 
in  Cosmo's  footsteps  and  remained  a  friend  of  Civility. 
The  rules  of  Infallible  were  set  aside  and  the  rules  of 
Civility  adopted  which  were  and  are  forever  according  to 
the  demand  of  times  and  circumstances,  having  no  other 
aim  but  the  immediate  comfort  of  the  living.  Therefore 
are  the  Courts  of  Civility  always  brilliant  and  satisfac 
tory,  but  though  Lorenzo's  court  wasjvery  brilliant — there 
was  one  dark  shadow — the  absence  of  Liberty.  She  was 


108  THE   TABLEAU. 

still  in  the  power  of  the  church.  There  was,  however, 
much  in  Florence  promising  redemption. 

Under  the  Medici,  Florence  had  become  as  ancient 
Rome  under  Augustus.  Their  genius  and  wealth  had 
filled  it  with  statues  and  pictures  and  made  it  a  home  of 
artists  and  sculptors.  At  this  very  moment  in  Lorenzo's 
palace  was  young  Michael  Angelo,  ere  long  to  be  the 
greatest  sculptor  of  the  age.  Learning  as  well  as  art  had 
found  a  home  in  Florence.  Cosnio  had  founded  the 
Platonic  Academy,  and  Ficino  who  was  at  the  head  of  it 
had  been  trained  up  under  his  patronage. 

Politian,  the  most  successful  poet  of  the  day,  and  Pico, 
who  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  challenged  to  dispute  with 
the  most  learned  men  of  the  world,  and  by  so  doing 
advanced  opinions  contrary  to  the  notion  of  the  Queen 
and  took  refuge  in  the  villa  on  the  mountain  side  of 
Florence. 

This  little  knot  of  men  with  the  authors  of  prosperity 
and  knowledge  in  their  midst,  were  at  work  on  what  is 
called  the  "  Revival  of  Learning." 

These  revivers,  owing  to  the  attention  and  sympathy 
which  they  paid  to  Humanity,  are  often  spoken  of  as 
the  u  Humanists."  They  dug  up  again  and  published  by 
means  of  the  newly  invented  art  of  printing,  the  works 
of  the  old  Greek  and  Latin  writers.  Thereby,  not  only 
discovering  their  high  aspirations  after  truth  and  virtue, 
but  also  discovering  the  rottenness  of  the  Church  and  the 
paganism  of  Christians. 

By  rejecting  Christiana  and  pursuing  the  dictations  of 
Civility,  prosperity  and  fame  immediately  followed  and 
the  generation  was  a  remarkable  one.  The  avenues  of 
Science  lay  wide  open,  but  Liberty,  ah  sweet,  thou  must 
yet  and  first  be  made  free,  ere  progress  is  desirable  or 
possible. 


THE    TABLEAU.  109 

Savonarola,  having  by  the  aid  of  his  learning  studied 
the  Scriptures  of  Christiana,  failed  to  discover  her  dis 
guise,  and  in  his  delusion  he  began  to  preach  Christiana, 
thinking  she  were  Humanity.  But  though  he  preached 
Christiana  as  she  was  disguised,  owing  to  the  circum 
stance  that  she  had  long  since  thrown  off  her  disguise 
and  wore  her  own  apparel,  she  became  wroth  at  the 
preacher  for  displaying  her  in  the  garb  of  Humanity  and 
sought  how  to  make  him  silent.  She  first  endeavored  to 
decoy  him  to  Despotism,  but  the  people  would  not  let  him  go 
for  they  said  that  he  would  never  come  back  from  thence 
alive.  Being  thereby  put  to  anger,  Infallible  advised 
that  she  revenge  herself  by  sending  an  army  to  Florence 
and  destroy  not  only  Savonarola,  but  all  the  heretics. 

Consequently  it  was  so  ordered. 

Savonarola  was  taken  and  first  strangled  and  then 
burned — the  inhabitants  of  Florence  were  led  away 
prisoners  and  the  City  was  destroyed.  Among  the  prison 
ers  were  Reason  and  Humanity.  Shackled  and  bound 
they  were  taken  into  Despotism,  where  they  were  cast  into 
a  cell  with  great  iron  doors  which,  when  closed,  left  all  in 
darkness.  In  their  turn  they  were  brought  forth  for  trial 
and  condemnation. 

Infallible  acted  as  judge.  On  the  witness  stand  were 
Ecclesiastical,  Obedience,  Submissive  and  Custom.  In 
the  jury  box  sat  Formality,  Partiality,  Confirmed,  Conse 
crated,  Sanctified,  Fanatic,  Creed,  Hypocrite,  Prayerful, 
Lordlove,  Humble,  and  Self-hate. 

When  the  hour  of  opening  had  arrived,  one  Hierarch 
was  called  upon  to  read  the  indictment  and  began  thus  : 
"Holy  Father  and  representative  of  the  God  Most  High. 
We,  the  servants  of  his  majesty  and  advocaters  of  his  will 
on  earth,  have  found  this  man  guilty  of  the  following 
offences.  First  offence:  dissent  from  the  Holy  Church. 


110  THE    TABLEAU. 

Second  offence:  disobedience  to  the  law  of  the  Queen. 
Third  offence:  delusion  of  citizens  in  good  standing  and 
endeavoring  to  create  a  rebellion.  These,  great  judge,  are 
the  charges  against  the  prisoner.  For  confirmation,  your 
honor  can  consult  of  the  witnesses  on  the  fctand." 

Then  Ecclesiastical  was  called  upon  and  testified  thus: 

"  My  lord  and  father.  It  gives  me  the  greatest  of  pleas 
ure  to  lend  what  service  I  can  to  propagate  the  great 
cause  of  God.  I  have  seen  his  glories  and  know  of  his 
love,  therefore  I  am  prepared  to  furnish  a  testimony  of 
truth  and  effect.  This  man  I  know  to  be  a  disbeliever  of 
the  truth  ;  a  dissenter  from  the  law.  Futhermore  I  can 
Attest  on  oath  before  this  honorable  bench — " 

"  Hold,"  said  the  judge.  "  Give  him  his  oath."—"  that 
this  man  is  a  rebel  and  a  traitor.  He  regardeth  neither 
God  nor  law,  but  doeth  ever  evil,  and  endeavoreth  to 
convert  men  into  his  disloyal  notions.  He  is  a  great 
obstacle  to  the  cause  of  God  and  the  condemnation  of  the 
law  is  upon  him." 

Next  came  Obedience.  "Holy  Father,"  he  began, 
41  As  all  men  know  I  am  a  firm  believer  in  the  law  of  God 
and  the  Church — not  only  a  believer,  but  a  doer.  There 
is  nothing  that  I  love  more  than  to  follow  in  the  footsteps 
of  my  Master  and  Father.  This  man  before  thee  I  know 
to  be  precisely  the  contrary,  seeking  neither  to  believe 
nor  to  do  the  will  of  the  church  nor  of  the  Queen.  If 
all  men  were  as  this  man  is,  the  world  would  be  shattered, 
and  the  beauties  of  our  holy  institutions  come  to  ruin. 
Therefore  this  man  is  guilty  of  conspiracy,  disobedience 
and  rebellion  according  to  the  words  of  the  indictment." 

Next  came  forth  Submissive,  "  My  Lord  and  Master. 
With  pleasure  do  I  appear  to  defend  the  great  and  holy 
law  of  my  country.  It  becometh  a  man  to  subject  himself 
unto  the  higher  powers,  for  there  is  no  power  but  of  God 


THE    TABLEAU.  Ill 

It  is  clear  that  this  man  is  a  traitor  and  a  rebel  for  he 
was  caught  in  the  very  act  of  seeking  to  avoid  and 
flee  from  the  ordained  power  of  God.  He  is  thereby 
displaying  contempt,  dishonor  and  disregard  for  the 
sacred  and  holy  institutions  of  God  and  of  our  fore 
fathers.  He  is  a  rioter  and  a  rebel  and  dangerous  to 
the  community." 

Next  and  lastly  came  forth  Custom.  "  Great  Judge," 
he  said.  "This  man  I  know  to  be  a  most  dangerous 
person.  He  is  a  dreamer,  a  visionary,  and  distorter  of 
the  long  established,  wise,  noble  and  convenient  modes 
of  living,  believing,  doing  and  worshiping.  His  mouth 
is  full  of  vanity  and  extravagance.  He  seeketh  to  pre 
vent  even  the  most  minute  things  as  well  as  to  over 
come  God  and  his  Church.  He  displayeth  himself  as 
very  wise,  wiser  even  than  God,  for  he  regardeth  not 
his  law.  He  defieth  the  Queen,  and  seeketh  to  intro 
duce  his  own  vague  ideas.  I  say,  he  setteth  forth  the 
Queen  and  even  God  as  a  fool,  for  he  disregards  their 
counsel,  which  shows  plainly  that  he  considereth  it 
foolish.  He  declareth  even  thee  foolish,  great  judge, 
inasmuch  as  he  blasphemes  and  seeketh  to  prevent  that 
which  thou  believest  with  all  thy  heart,  and  which  is 
dear  and  holy  truth.  I  say,  this  man  is  extremely  danger 
ous  to  the  institutions,  and  rites,  and  fashions  of  our  land 
and  should  be  made  harmless." 

vThen  the  judge  turned  to  Reason  and*  said  :  "Thou 
heretic,  traitor,  and  ungodly  villain,  hast  thou  heard  what 
these  trustworthy  gentlemen  have  witnessed  against  thee? 
Thou  deservest  to  live  no  longer,  but  to  be  slain  immedi 
ately.  Yet  that  all  men  may  see  our  gentleness  towards 
thee,  let  us  hear  what  thou,  vile  heretic,  hast  to  say."  * 

Then  Reason  arose  and  began  his  defence :  "  Mr. 
Judge,"  he  said,  "  Brothers,  Sisters,  friends  and  enemies. 


112  THE    TABLEAU. 

Ye  who  believe  in  life  that  is  free,  peaceful,  and  sweet. 
Ye  who  believe  in  affection  that  is  merciful  and  endures ' 
and  is  patient,  hear  the  other  side.  In  the  dormant  land 
beyond  the  shores  of  life,  distant,  secluded,  still,  the  rocks 
primeval  lay  scattered  about.  Waste  of  life,  waste  of 
death,  waste  of  love,  waste  of  sorrow.  In  the  clouds  of 
the  skies,  in  the  rocks,  life  and  death  slumber  unborn. 
Rains  fell,  streams  flowed,  lakes  broke,  and  plains  came 
forth,  but  no  life.  It  sleeps  on  the  plains,  it  is  quiet  in 
the  lakes,  it  glides  in  the  streams,  and  is  wafted  by  the 
breezes  in  the  skies.  Unceasingly  the  wheeling  sun 
shifted  his  rays  into  the  midst  of  the  sleepers,  and  one 
by  one  they  awoke.  As  they  awoke,  neighbor  said  to 
neighbor,  "What  means  this?  Who  dares  so  ruthlessly 
disturb  our  peace?"  But  the  shifting  rays  became  more 
and  more  ruthless- 

^Invisibly,  the  sleepers  banded  together,  like  the  peb 
bles  of  the  stream,  different  in  quality  and  form,  so  came 
forth  the  banded  sleepers — trees,  plants,  flowers.  Like 
the  fog  of  the  ocean,  like  the  moss  covered  housetop,  so 
came  forth  the  primeval  forest,  the  plants,  the  worms, 
the  insect,  the  bird,  the  beast,  the  man.  The  trees 
towered,  the  plants  spread,  the  flowers  bloomed,  the 
worms  wriggled,  the  insects  chirped,  the  birds  sang,  the 
beasts  howled,  and  man  suffered.  No  voice  commanded » 
no  hand  formed,  no  eye  admired,  no  heart  grieved. 
Like  when  the  approach  of  invaders  is  sounded  and  sol' 
diers  and  generals  take  form  of  an  army  ;  so,  the  sleepers 
being  disturbed  took  form  guided  by  consciousness  within, 
taking  position  for  defense.  Somewhat  apart  from  the 
forest  primeval  man  dwelt  on  his  fateful  acres,  and  with 
him  woman,  the  pride  of  all  living.  Caves,  jungles, 
and  ledges,  they  sought  for  shelter;  roots,  fruit,  and  prey 
for  food.  Waste  of  language,  waste  of  will,  waste  of  skill. 


THE    TABLEAU.  113 

waste  of  affection — save  as  other  life — instinctive  modes 
of  preservation.  Not  cursed,  not  depraved,  not  fallen,  but 
unglorified,  uncultured,  unrisen  they  were.  Mind  unborn, 
invention  unborn,  human  feeling  dormant  in  the  heart. 
They  gestured,  and  babbled,  they  starved,  they  froze,  they 
devoured  each  other.  Gesture  and  babbling  led  to  language, 
starvations,  pangs  to  sowing  and  reaping,  winter's  blasts 
to  building,  and  the  cries  of  the  suffering  and  dying 
touched  the  feelings  of  Humanity.  Thus  was  born  mind 
and  invention,  and  was  first  employed  to  prolong  and 
elevate  life,  but  soon  the  mind  began  to  see  mysteries 
and  make  suppositions,  more  holy  than  realities 
and  instead  of  laboring  for  the  benefit  of  life,  it 
was  directed  to  benefit  Gods,  idols,  and  images,  and 
men  were  left  to  grope  in  darkness  and  misery.  This 
was  the  condition  of  things  into  which  I  had  come — 
Paganism.  Seeing  the  grandeur  of  mind  and  looking 
through  it  I  discovered  a  grander  state,  the  state  of 
heaven  in  which  life  was  eternal,  with  tears  and  sorrow 
wiped  away.  Then  on  perceiving  how  invention  led  step 
by  step  towards  this  state,  and  as  how  I  could  get  there 
sometime  by  going  step  by  step  in  the  right  way,  I 
resolved  to  wander.  When  I  was  about  to  depart  from 
the  city  of  my  fathers  I  met  with  my  companion.  She 
was  I  perceived  in  great  distress,  therefore  I  asked  her  to 
share  with  me  the  cause  of  her  tears  and  sorrow.  She 
wept  with  pity  for  man  and  all  flesh,  and  with  bitterness 
and  remonstrance  for  Gods.  She  had  seen  sickness, 
pain  and  death,  which,  if  Gods  reign,  Gods  cause,  and 
said,  the  Gods  are  merciless  or  powerless,  and  being  thus 
undone  by  the  fate  of  all  flesh  she  wept  with  sore  pity  for 
the  world,  I  informed  her  of  my  discovery  and  requested 
her  to  accompany  me,  which  she  gladly  consented  to  do. 
We  therefore  laid  aside  the  comforts  of  our  home  to  seek 

BE 


114  THE    TABLEAU. 

for  the  state  of  heaven — the  land  of  wisdom.  This  we 
did,  and  were  quietly  prosecuting  our  journey  when  being 
arrested.  We  have  committed  no  offense,  save  as  what 
the  men  who  arrested  us  make  out  to  be  offenses,  namely, 
to  tell  men  that  which  we  believe,  and  invite  them  to 
accept  it,  which  I  hold  to  be  the  privilege  and  grace  of 
the  world.  If  we  have  done  amiss  in  what  we  have  done, 
we  have  done  so  sincerely,  and  are  in  ourselves  without 
condemnation.  Thanking  you  Mr.  Judge  for  your  hear 
ing,  I  am  ready  to  meet  thy  power." 

The  judge  then  turned  to  the  Jury  that  stood  by  to 
hear  and  observe. 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Jury  :  You  have  heard  what  thebe 
trustworthy  gentlemen  have  witnessed  against  the  priso 
ner.  ^You  have  also  heard  his  reply  and  confession. 
It  is  now  in  your  power  to  hang  him  or  save  his  life,  but 
yet  listen  that  I  inform  ye  of  the  law  and  examples  of 
God.  There  was  an  act  made  in  the  days  of  Noah  of 
old,  servant  too  of  our  Lord,  to  the  effect  that  all  who 
obeyed  not  Noah  were  to  be  destroyed.  This  act  was  not 
only  made,  but  also  executed  by  God  himself,  and  the 
unbelievers,  and  those  contrary  to  his  will,  were  utterly 
destroyed.  I  Bay  this,  that  ye  may  be  guided  in  your 
conclusion.  Then  let  me  call  to  your  mind  the  rebellion 
of  Korah  and  their  destruction.  They  were  rebels  as 
this  man  is,  and  remember  how  God  destroyed  them. 
Then  again,  to  quote  the  words  of  his  law  :  '  He  that  blas 
phemes  the  name  of  God,  shall  surely  be  put  to  death.' — 
Bible.  Then  again,  hear  the  words  of  his  noble  son  : 
4  He  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned.  They  shall 
be  cast  into  outer  darkness  where  is  wailing  and  gnashing 
of  teeth.  They  shall  be  burned  with  fire  everlasting.' — 
Bible.  This  man  obeyeth  not  the  servants  of  God.  He 


THE    TABLEAU.  115 

is  a  rebel,  a  blasphemer,  and  believeth  not  what  is  most 
holy,  therefore  he  is  certainly  worthy  of  damnation." 

Then  went  the  jury  out  and  each  gave  in  his  private 
verdict. 

And  first  Formality,  the  foreman  said  :  "  I  see  clearly 
that  this  man  is  a  heretic."  Then  said  Partiality,  "  Con 
sume  him,  let  him  know  that  God  ruleth."  "  Aye,  aye,'' 
said  confirmed,  "Let  death  sieze  him,  and  let  him  go 
down  quick  to  hell,  for  wickedness  is  in  his  heart." 

Then  said  Consecrated  :  "  His  way  leadeth  from  good 
and  his  words  are  full  of  vanity."  "  Yea,"  said  Sancti 
fied,  "  His  poison  is  like  the  poison  of  a  serpent,  he  is 
like  the  deaf  adder  that  stoppeth  up  her  ear."  "  He 
should  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from  the 
earth,"  responded  Fanitic.  "  Might  I  be  given  all  the 
world,  I  could  not  be  reconsiled  with  him,"  insisted. 
Creed.  "Alas  !"  said  Hypocrite,  "His  mouth  is  full  of 
cursing,  deceit  and  fraud.  Under  his  tongue  is  mischeif." 
Then  said  Prayerful :  "  Destroy  0  Lord,  and  divide  his 
tongue,  for  I  have  seen  his  violence." 

"  The  enemies  of  the  Lord  shall  be  consumed  together, '> 
said  Lordlove. 

u  Let  all  men  be  laid  low  who  arise  against  God's  holy 
law,"  exhorted  Humble. 

"Aye,  for  the  imagination  of  man's  heart  is  evil  from 
his  youth,  there  is  none  righteous,  there  is  none  that 
doeth  good,"  said  Selfhate,  "  therefore,  let  us  forthwith 
bring  him  in  worthy  of  death." 

And  so  they  did,  and  presently  he  was  sentenced 
to  be  pat  to  death.  "As  for  the  woman,"  the  judge 
said,  "  she  may  turn  away  from  her  evil  way  and  no 
harm  shall  come  to  her." 

Humanity  had  listened  to  the  trial  and  occasionally 


116  THE    TABLEAU. 

gave  vent  to  a  sigh  and  tearful  eyes,  but  now  she  arose 
with  great  calmness  and  said  : 

"  Mr.  Judge,  I  have  no  desire  to  turn  out  of  my  way. 
I  will  take  no  leave  of  my  companion,  and  were  it  not 
for  this  fair  child  I  should  disdain  to  live.  To  strike  me 
with  the  blow  that  thou  hast  planed  for  him,  should  I 
then  too  receive.  I  will  not  ask  for  mercy,  for  'twould  be 
honoring  thee  to  hope  in  thy  vile  heart  yet  mercy  to 
find.  To  face  thee  and  thy  wretched  mob,  to  fear  thee 
not,  but  hold  my  soul  above  thy  wrath  is  least  an  honor 
to  my  mate.  Ye  are  but  villains,  rogues,  and — " 

She  would  have  said  more  but  the  judge  cried  : 

"Woman,  I  have  power  to  put  thee  to  death!" 

"  Very  likely,"  she  said,  "  and  I  have  power  then  to  be 
put  to  death  and  scorn  thee.  I  fear  not  death,  and 
therefore  fear  not  thee.'1 

"  Humanity,"  said  Reason,  "let  not  thy  gentleness  so 
converted  be.  Remember  of  thy  motherhood,  thy  child 
whose  life  thou  art." 

"  Take  the  prisoners  away,"  ordered  the  judge.  When 
they  were  away  he  turned  to  the  jury  saying  :  "Servants 
of  the  Holy  Church,  ye  have  with  me  seen  the  desperate 
behaviour  and  the  profanity  of  this  woman,  calling  you 
with  me,  rogues  and  villians,  with  many  other  such  villi- 
fying  terms.  You  have  also  seen  the  power  and  influence 
this  her  betrayer  has  over  her.  We  must  seek  to  induce 
her  to  deny  his  heretic  ideas.  She  is  a  dangerous  person, 
and  must  be  induced  to  subject  herself  to  the  Lord. 
I  therefore  ask  your  advice  as  how  to  frame  the  induce 
ment.  Keep  well  in  view  the  interest  of  the  Church." 
Then  the  jury  went  ont  again,  but  soon  returned  with 
the  following  advice: 

"  In  consideration  of  the  fact  that  it  is  the  will  of  Most 
High  God,  that  no  means  be  left  undone  by  which  the 


THE    TABLEAU.  117 

Holy  Church  might  be  promoted  on  earth,  we  would 
advise,  regarding  the  woman,  this  : 

First :  That  she  be  requested  to  submit,  by  laying 
before  her  life  and  death. 

Second  :     That  she  be  scourged. 

Third  :     That  she  be  racked. 

Fourth  :  That  the  child  be  sacrificed  for  the  cause,  as 
an  inducement  to  save  her,  and  that  the  sacrifice  should 
consist  in  starvation  in  her  presence.  If  she  then  still 
refuse  to  obey  and  believe  as  is  required,  that  she  die 
with  her  companion,  by  being  beheaded. 

This  Honorable  Judge,  is  the  conclusion  of  thy  ser 
vants." 

Then  the  Judge  said  : 

"'Tis  an  honorable  act  gentlemen.  I  congratulate  you 
upon  the  zeal  you  have  displayed  in  this  act  for  the 
church  and  for  the  Lord.  By  warning  the  wicked  thus, 
many  are  saved  from  the  way  that  leads  to  hell.  You 
have  also  the  blessing  of  God  upon  you,  and  many  shall 
the  diamonds  be  in  your  crowns  in  heaven." 

After  he  had  thus  spoken,  Humanity  was  brought 
forth  and  was  informed  of  her  fate. 

"Thou  hast  heard  the  gracefulness  with  which  we 
meet  thee.  Choose  now  between  life  and  death." 

Humanity  was  pale  but  calm. 

"  I  have  chosen,"  she  said. 

"  What  is  it?"  inquired  the  Judge. 

"  Death,"  she  answered. 

"  Remember  woman,  that  by  one  word,  you  may  live 
in  honor  among  good  citizens  and  at  thy  ease,"  advocated 
the  Judge. 

"  I  have  chosen,"  she  said  again,  and  gave  the  Judge  a 
look  of  disdain,  whereon  he  said  : 

"  This  woman  is  not  to  be  moved  by  mercy.     Take  her 


THE    TABLEAU. 


and  do  to  her  according  to  law,  if  she  may  be  made  obe  :- 
ent  and  forget  her  pride." 

They  then  took  her  and  first  they  scourged  her,  and 
last  they  bound  her  to  a  stake  and  starved  her  child  be 
fore  her  eyes,  but  Humanity  had  her  soul  in  her  hand 
and  held  it  out  of  reach  of  the  tyrants  who  surrounded 
her.  Nothing  could  move  her.  After  the  tempest  was 
over  she  was  taken  back  to  her  companion,  condemned 
to  death.  At  the  door  of  the  cell  she  was  met  by  Reason. 

"  Humanity  my  darling  how  pale  thou  art  !  What  of 
the  child?" 

"  They  have  murdered  it,"  she  said,  and  fell  fainting 
into  his  arms. 


DEATH. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

GREAT  stir  had  taken  possession  of  the  inhabi 
tants  of  Despotism.     In  and  about  the  Inquisi 
tion  buildings,  were  gathered  thousands  of  citi 
zens.     It  was  the  execution  day  of  Reason  and 
Humanity.     Queen  Christiana  was  to  be  a  spectator  of 
the  execution,  and  the  chief  of  war  was  appointed  execu 
tioner  of  the  day. 

The  slaying  of  heretics  was  with  the  inhabitants  of 
Despotism  an  occasion  of  great  joy  and  solemn  mass,  for 
it  was  of  importance  to  the  Church,  and  considered  a 
special  sacrifice  and  honor  to  God.  Cannons  were  fired 
and  bonfires  blazed  everywhere. 

Long  before  the  hour  the  great  building  was  packed, 
waiting  for  blood. 

Upon  the  appointed  time,  the  Judge  arose  in  his  place 
and  a  great  silence  followed. 

u  Servants  and  children  of  God  Almighty,"  he  began- 
"On  this  solemn  occasion  it  is  fashionable  to  proclaim  to 
the  world,  the  will,  the  power  and  majesty  of  our  Lord. 

It  is  according  to  his  holy  word,  the  will  of  God,  that 
all  knees  shall  bow  before  him  in  heaven  and  on  earth- 
Futhermore,  in  the  same  holy  writ  is  contained,  that 
whosoever  refuses  to  obey  and  is  rebellious,  shall  die. 
It  is  commanded  many  times,  and  exemplified  by  God 
himself. 

We  are  gathered  here  again  to  day  to  fulfill  these  holy 
commandments,  and  follow  the  examples  which  are 
revealed  to  us.  We  are  gathered  to  subdue  elements 


120  THE    TABLEAU. 

which  have  been  found  detrimental  and  dangerous  to 
the  church  of  God,  and  thereby  save  many  souls  from 
ruin.  Not  alone  do  we  subdue  this  man  and  woman  for 
their  own  evil,  but  as  a  warning  for  others  that  they  may 
be  saved  thereby  from  hell's  fire.  Let  therefore  every 
one  be  warned  on  this  occasion  and  renew  his  royalty  to 
God,  who  has  power  over  life  and  death.  Let  not 
heretics  influence  you  with  things  that  lead  unto  damna 
tion.  Hold  fast  to  the  holy  and  only  way  of  salvation 
revealed  by  inspiration  and  ministered  to  you  by  the 
fathers  and  priests  of  the  church." 

Then  he  said,    "  Let  now  the  prisoners  come  forth." 

So  they  were  brought  forth,  led  by  the  warden  and 
followed  by  the  executioner  who  bore  a  huge  sword. 
After  they  had  taken  their  places  the  Judge  continued. 

"That  all  men  may  hear  and  know  the  will  of  God 
regarding  the  unbelieving  and  disobedient,  I  shall  read  a 
few  passages  from  the  law  revealed." 

And  he  read  thus  :  Thou  shalt  worship  no  other 
God,  for  the  Lord  whose  name  is  Jealous,  is  a  jealous 
God." 

"  He  that  blasphemes  the  name  of  the  Lord,  shall  sure 
ly  be  put  to  death." 

"  Ye  shall  keep  the  sabbath,  for  it  is  holy  unto  you ; 
every  one  that  defileth  it  shall  surely  be  put  to  death." 

"  Let  the  children  of  Levi  take  up  their  swords  and  go 
through  the  camp  and  cut  the  unbelievers  from  among 
my  people." — Bible. 

"  Remember  how  there  fell  three  thousand  in  one  day." 

"Then  remember  of  Elijah,  whom  God  took  unto  him 
self,  how  he  did  unto  the  evil  elements  in  Israel." 

"We  cannot  believe  other  than  that  it  is  the  will  of 
God,  that  heretics  should  be  cut  off  from  among  his 
people.  Then  if  we  look  at  the  Rebellion  of  Korah,  and 


THE   TABLEAU.  121 

the  four  hundred  and  fifty  men  that  offered  incense,  and 
how  the  Lord  himself  destroyed  them,  we  have  ample 
proof  which  justifies  the  execution  of  blasphemers,  sab 
bath  breakers,  incensors,  heretics,  etc.,  but  this  may 
suffice  and  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  we  will  now  proceed 
with  the  execution." 

Reason  and  Humanity  stood  side  by  side  upon  a  plat 
form  before  the  Judge,  in  front  of  the  auditorium,  and  the 
Judge  addressed  them. 

"  You  have  heard  the  condemnation  that  is  upon  you. 
according  to  the  inspired  word  of  God,  but  the  Lord  is 
merciful  to  him  that  repenteth  and  submits  himself  unto 
his  will,  and  as  it  is  his  will,  that  we  his  administrators, 
should  also  exercise  mercy,  therefore,  there  shall  be  given 
you  one  more  opportunity  to  escape.  Remember  you 
stand  now  at  the  gate  of  death,  and  moreover  at  the  gate 
of  hell  and  eternal  burning  of  fire.  Remember  also,  that 
one  word  will  reinstate  you  as  princes,  and  worthy  of 
everlasting  glory.  It  will  save  your  life.  What  is  it 
that  you  choose  ?" 

"Death,"  said  Reason.  Humanity  threw  her  arms 
around  her  companion's  neck  and  with  her  head  on  his 
bosom  said,  "  We  will  die  together." 

"I  have  done,"  said  the  Judge  turning  to  the  warden, 
"  do  thou.  according  to  the  law." 

Then  the  warden  ascended  upon  the  platform;  al?o  did 
the  executioner.  The  former  then  read  the  death  war 
rant,  and  when  he  had  finished  he  said  to  Reason  :  "  Bid 
thy  farewell  to  thy  mate  ;  thou  art  first. 

"  Farewell?  Nay,  I  will  take  no  leave,"  then  turning  to 
his  companion,  he  continued :  "  My  Humanity,  yonder 
towards  where  the  North  Star  shines,  where  the  air  goes 
round  and  round,  where  the  sun  cannot  smite  us,  nor  the 
whirling  of  the  earth-surrounding  air  draw  us  in  its 


122  THE    TABLEAU. 

whirl,  there,  where  the  air  is  still  and  turns  a  gentle 
way,  by  which  we  may  ascend  beyond,  where  compres 
sion  is  no  more,  where  the  whirl  has  ceased  to  be, 
where  all  is  still,  where  we  are  free  to  wander  free  from 
storm,  and  where  no  heat  or  cold  can  stop  to  torture,  nor 
heartless  men  arrest  and  slay,  where  we  glide  from  world 
to  world,  star  to  star,  and  meet  with  other  forms,  in  forms 
adapted  to  their  being,  an  ariel  form  adapted  to  the  air, 
as  flesh  to  earth,  flesh  and  blood  to  enter,  we  shall  never 
more.  A  better  form  shall  be  our  choice — one  of  electric 
speed  and  free  from  weijht  which  clogs  the  soul.  Death 
makes  us  free  from  this  our  form,  and  free  to  enter  in  a 
new.  Take  up  an  ariel  form  which  compression  cannot 
stay,  and  when  thy  form  hast  taken,  guide  it  northward, 
where  I  said  the  North  Star  shines,  and  where  no  whirl 
ing  air  shall  bind  thee  to  the  wheel,  but  where  is  gentle 
revolution,  round  and  round  by  which  we  may  escape 
into  quiet  beyond.  Over  the  axis  of  the  North,  I  shall 
hover  for  thee  ;  Wilt  thou  come?" 

"  I  will  meet  thee  under  the  North  Star  as  soon  as  I 
am  free,"  said  Humanity. 

"  'Tis  well.  Then  haste  to  thy  duty,"  he  said  turning 
to  the  executioner. 

"  Stay  a  little."  It  was  Humanity  that  spoke.  "  With 
this  tie  up  my  sight,  let  not  soft  nature  so  transformed 
be,  to  make  me  see  thee  bleed.  So.  'Tis  well.  Under 
the  North  Star  we  meet.  Teach  now  the  nations  how  to 
die.  Farewell." 

"  I  am  ready,"  said  Reason,  "  Now  I  will  kneel." 

"  Dost  thou  know  what  'tis  to  die,"  asked  the  Chief. 

"  I  do,  but  thou  dost  not,  therefore,  not  how  to  live. 
"  'Tis  to  leave  deceitful  knaves,  for  Church,  for  Gods  and 
spoil.  'Tig  to  end  a  stale  and  weary  work,  and  to  begin 
a  new.  'Tis  to  let  the  wiser  soul  select  a  new  and  nobler 


THE    TABLEAU.  125 

form,  to  work  out  higher  aims  and  ends  for  good.     Nayr 
I  fear  not  to  die." 

"  But  art  thou  not  grieved  to  leave  thy  life  thus,"  he 
asked  again. 

"Why  should  I.  Do  I  not  know  that  the  soul  that 
formed  this  life,  is  able  to  form  another,  being  that  the 
soul  is  in  knowledge  of  more  than  ever  before?  Is  it 
therefore  not  able  to  make  a  better  selection,  more  adapt 
ed  for  enjoyment  and  good?  Nay,  I  trust  the  soul.  Now 
Til  kneel,  'tis  the  last  duty  this  trunk  can  do." 

A  painful  silence  fell  upon  the  congregation.  As  when 
the  air  is  darkened  with  fiendish  shadows,  and  the  earth 
quakes,  so  was  the  atmosphere  of  the  house.  The  execu 
tioner  stood  over  his  kneeling  victim.  He  was  in  him 
self  undone,  and  strove  whether  to  do  the  calling  of  his- 
office  or  the  calling  of  his  heart.  A  warning  of  duty  from 
the  Judge  caused  him  to  mechanically  raise  his  weapon* 
but  while  he  did  so,  there  were  heard  voices  crying  : 
''Mercy!  mercy  I"  also  a  woman  sprang  upon  the  stage 
staying  the  fatal  stroke  and  pleading  for  the  condemned 
man's  life. 

"  Strike  not  this  man,  this  woman.  See  how  they  love. 
Be  merciful!"  she  plead,  falling  upon  herk  nees  before  him. 
Whereupon  the  executioner  immediately  cast  his  sword 
from  him  and  said  :  "  Alas  !  alas  !  my  treacherous  handr 
would  fain  have  spoiled  this  noble  man,  this  spotless 
woman,  but  it  shall  not.  Arise  my  sister,  be  at  peace,, 
arise  my  brother  and  live."  Saying  this  he  laid  hold 
upon  the  kneelers  and  raised  them  to  their  feet. 

Humanity  had  unbandaged  her  eyes,  and  beholding  the 
situation,  she  broke  into  a  shout  of  joy.  "  Hail !  Hail !  My 
sister,"  she  said.  "Hail,  Civility,  thou  precious  princess  of 
peace,  and  Hail  my  companion  !  Hail !  on  the  morn  of  life 


124  THE    TABLEAU. 

in  the  land  of  the  living."     Saying  this  she  approached 
and  embraced  them. 

The  Judge  looked  petrified,  and  from  the  house  arose  a 
cheer. 

Then  said  the  executioner  to  the  Judge  :  "  Great  Sir  ! 
This  pair  with  their  disdain  of  fortune  and  of  death,  and 
with  their  love,  together  with  the  princely  act  of  this 
woman  converted  me,  and  never  shall  my  hand  have 
guilt  to  spoil  this  man,  this  woman.  If  they  die,  I  swear 
to  die  also,  but  in  their  defense.  What  hast  thou  to  say?" 
As  he  spoke  thus,  he  took  up  his  sword  which  he  had 
cast  away  before. 

"  Traitor,"  quoth  the  Judge. 

The  warden  had  stood  by  in  silence,  but  on  hearing  the 
decision  of  the  Judge,  approached  the  Chief  and  said  : 
<c  I  am  with  thee.  I  see  plainly  the  infernal  barbarism 
of  this  act  in  which  this  noble  woman  staid  thy  hand." 
Then  turning  to  Civility,  he  said :  u  Hail  Civility  ! 
Most  happy  am  I  to  share  with  thee,  the  event  of  this 
hour,  though  it  be  in  the  face  of  great  danger  in  defiance 
of  God,  Church,  and  Devils." 

The  sudden  appearance  of  Civility  caused  a  thrill  of 
excitement  and  joy  to  fill  the  house,  for  the  people  loved 
Civility  and  longed  in  general  for  her  return  to  the 
throne,  and  when  the  warden  thus  addressed  her,  there 
arose  cheer  after  cheel  in  her  honor  from  the  house. 

When  the  shouting  had  somewhat  abated,  the  Judge 
undertook  to  suppress  the  dissenters  by  ordering  the  sol 
diers  that  stood  by,  to  strike  them  down  and  take  in  their 
ward  the  prisoners,  but  immediately  there  arose  a  cry 
which  caused  the  Judge  to  turn  pale. 

"Down  with  the  Church!  Away  with  Infallible! 
Away  with  Despotism!"  they  cried,  and  a  crowd  rushed 
forward  to  protect  Civility  and  the  prisoners.  When  the 


THE    TABLEAU.  125 

confusion  threatened  to  become  evil,  Civility  beckoned 
with  her  hand  for  a  hearing  and  soon  order  was  restored. 
She  then  spoke  in  her  sweet  and  clear  voice  of  life,  which 
she  said,  was  the  holiest  and  most  sacred  thing  amongst 
the  living,  of  sense  of  feeling  as  the  standard  of  good  and 
right,  of  faith  and  religion  and  freedom  of  choice  to  all 
men,  of  the  brotherhood  and  equality  of  man,  and  of  the 
church. 

Turning  to  the  Queen,  she  said  :  "  Hear  what  she  is." 
"  She  swears  to  preach  freedom  and  peace,  but 
preaches  serfdom  and  the  sword.  She  swears  that 
love  of  souls  alone  had  drawn  her  into  the  world,  but  she 
strewes  her  path  with  the  dead,  and  to  subjects  that 
slay,  she  whispers  peace  and  heaven  for  reward.  She 
swore  away  all  love  of  lucre,  all  desire  of  earthly  pomp, 
but  a  princely  seat  she  demands,  and  to  the  click  of 
Mammon's  box  gives  most  rapacious  ear.  She  swears  her 
prophecies  to  be  of  trutb,  but  teaches  lies  for  gain.  With 
quakish  words  and  forms  she  quiets  the  brain,  but  leaves 
the  soul  from  knowledge  far  away,  the  heart  quite  waste 
of  good,  to  brew  in  ignorance  and  soon  to  burst  in  cruel 
rage  and  wretchedness  again.  The  cries  of  woe  and  pore 
distress,  she  drowns  with  mimic  shouts  of  peace.  Faith, 
charity,  and  love,  are  words  well  lettered  in  her  sabbath 
creeds,  but  with  her  life  she  writes  plain  fraud,  revenge, 
tyrany,  lust  of  wealth  inordinate,  and  lewdness  unasham 
ed.  She  is  a  tigress  in  the  clothing  of  a  lamb,  that  stole 
into  the  fold  of  man,  and  of  the  blood  of  souls  which  she 
did  sell  to  death  grew  fat,  and  yet  if  one  would  turn  her 
out  she  cries,  "  Touch  not  the  holy  one." 

But  know  this  day,  ye  hosts  assembled  here,  she  is  the 
devil  self,  her  nurseries  of  pain  are  gates  of  hell,  her 
floods  are  hellish  flames,  from  first  to  last  her  aim  is  set 
particular  for  ill. 


126  THE   TABLEAU. 

Ah  me,  what  cursing  is  upon  her  head  of  ruined  souls, 
that  charge  her  with  their  martyrdom,  she  standing  by 
dignified  awaiting  the  oozing  away  of  the  blood  of  millions. 

But  let  me  pause,  for  ye  have  seen  her  ways  of  punish 
ment  and  death,  far  beyond  the  sphere  of  right.  There 
fore,  since  ye  have  seen  it,  I  appeal  to  your  sense  of  honor, 
right,  and  justice,  that  this  thing  of  slaying  be  destroyed. 
I  appeal  to  you  that  she  be  left  unsupported  and  that 
these  wanderers  with  the  thousands  that  lay  in  chains  be 
made  free,  that  the  nurseries  of  pain,  the  instruments  of 
torture,  the  flood  gates  of  delusion,  operated  by  priest  craft, 
be  laid  waste  and  that  all  men  may  live  and  let  live  in 
peace  and  self-will  which  is  the  privilege  and  grace  of  life. 
As  a  man  chooses  a  mate,  so  let  him  choose  a  doctrine,  a 
faith,  and  as  he  builds  his  cottage,  so  let  him  build 
his  religion,  not  to  please  a  father,  or  a  God,  but  to  please 
the  soul  that  dwells  therein.  He  that  builds  is  a 
master,  a  God.  Do  to  no  one  as  you  would  have  no  one 
do  to  you,  is  the  law  by  which  to  live.  Sense  and  feeling 
the  law-giver  supreme.  If  ye  hate  oppression,  oppress 
not.  If  ye  love  freedom,  let  others  be  free.  If  ye  enjoy 
your  faith,  let  others  enjoy  theirs,  and  if  ye  find  good,  tell 
it,  display  it,  practice  it,  but  force  it  upon  no  one." 

Thus  she  spake,  and  when  she  had  finished  the  Queen 
arose  flushed  with  wrath.  She  was  tall  and  erect  though 
quite  old,  her  nose  was  hooked  like  the  beak  of  an  eagle, 
her  chin  was  long,  her  lips  were  firm,  her  eyes  were  as 
keen  as  a  hawk's,  and  they  were  full  of  wrath.  'Tis  said 
they  were  grey,  but  no  one  ever  dared  to  look  steadily 
upon  them.  In  her  wrath  they  seemed  bloodshot.  She 
wore  a  habit  proper  to  a  queen  of  her  order,  and  was 
the  last  one  who  wore  that  habit.  It  consisted  of  a  black 
gown  reaching  to  her  feet  with  a  border  of  ermine.  Over 
this  she  wore  a  black  velvet  mantle.  For  head  dress  she 


THE    TABLEAU.  127 

had  a  white  linen  hood,  very  full  and  tied  under  her  chin. 
Over  all  she  wore  a  long  dangling  veil.  Round  her  waist 
was  a  cord  with  the  triple  knot,  of  Charity,  Poverty,  and 
Obedience.  Round  her  neck  was  a  gold  chain  with  a 
crucifix. 

Walking  to  the  front  of  the  stage  on  which  she  stood, 
she  assailed  Civility. 

"  Impious  wretch  that  thou  art,"  she  began  in  her  deep 
man's  voice.  "  By  all  that  is  holy  shouldst  thou  uphold 
the  interest  of  thy  country;  but  a  robertress  thou  art. 
That  God  might  strike  thee  into  the  dust,  e're  thou  dost 
commit  more  violence,  e're  thou  dost  further  defile  his 
holy  church  and  dishonor  him.  How  canst  thou  be  so  vile, 
to  arise  thus?  Is  it  not  holy  law  to  respect  the  ordained 
powers?" 

"My  Qneen  and  Majesty,"  said  Civility.  "  If  thou 
wert  worthy  of  obedience,  I  would  obey  the,  but  thou  art 
unworthy,  and  thy  slave,  nor  the  slave  of  the  church  I 
am  not. 

If  this  people  love  thy  doing  more  than  mine,  I  shall 
go  down,  but  if  they  love  me  they  will  save  me.  ^Thou 
art  for  the  Church,  I  am  against  it." 

"  Hail  Civility,"  shouted  the  house. 

"  They  that  despoil  the  Church  shall  go  down,  they  are 
accursed  and  shall  be  utterly  destroyed  and  thou  with 
them." 

"  By  your  permission  madam."     It  was  Reason  that 

spoke.     "  I  would  inform  thee  that  thy  power  has  fled, 

"being  that  I  and  my  companion  live  in  thy  presence  with 

the  condemnation  of  thy   law  made   worthless.    I  had 

hoped  to  die.     Thy  will  was,  and  is,  that  I  should,  yet 

I  live,  not  at  thine  nor  my  will,  but  at  the  will  of  the 

Die,  who  have  power  over  thee  and  over  the  Church, 

ver  the  law.     I  am  sorry  that  thy  name  is  Queen 


128  THE    TABLEAU. 

Christiana,  for  I  fear  and  hope  that  thy  law  shall  be  de 
stroyed,  and  one  more  human,  civil  and  reasonable,  be 
established.  To  judge  by  what  I  have  seen  and  heard 
today  in  thy  presence,  there  is  a  new  day  dawning,  in 
which  Civility  and  her  judgment  shall  reign." 

"Silence,  Sirrah."  Raising  her  golden  headed  stick 
which  she  carried,  and  pointing  it  to  the  western  sky, 
which  shone  red  and  flaming  through  the  windows,  she 
said  :  "  Behold,  the  sky  is  full  of  blood.  I  hear  the 
groans  of  the  dying,  I  see  a  great  and  terrible  slaughter. 
There  is  a  mighty  battle.  The  protestants  are  crushed 
like  shells.  Their  blood  flows  in  streams.  The  arm  of 
the  Lord  is  outstretched.  The  despoilers  are  scattered. 
After  the  roaring  of  cannons,  the  weeping  of  women, 
punishments,  yea,  the  torture  of  the  flames,  for  those  who 
have  led  the  people  astray.  Then  shall  the  church  be  as 
the  rising  of  the  sun,  the  ancient  faith  restored.  Then 
shall  they  who  thought  to  grow  fat  upon  the  land  of  the 
Church,  be  driven  forth  homeless  and  beggars  to  wander 
upon  the  roads.  Woe  !  woe  !  woe  to  the  mothers  and 
the  children  in  that  day  !  Death  to  the  young  men  ! 
Woe  to  the  maidens  !  " 

"  Madam,"  said  Reason  calmly,  "  we  who  wait  upon 
nature  fear  not  her  way.  It  is  as  easy  for  a  thousand  to 
die  as  for  one,  moreover,  it  is  better  that  a  thousand 
should  die  in  battle  for  right,  than  that  one  should  die 
by  fraud,  ©r  in  serfdom  as  thousands  have  lived  and 
died,  in  thy  reign." 

The  Queen  made  no  sign  of  hearing  him. 

"  I  see,"  she  said,  still  gazing  into  the  sky,  "  I  see  the 
bones  of  one  who  thought  himself  safe,  who  thought  to 
despoil  the  holy  sanctuary,  among  the  weeds  of  the  fields 
— the  worms  crawl  about  his  ribs — the  birds  eat  out  his 
eyes — the  beasts  eat  his  flesh." 


THE    TABLEAU.  129 

"  Madam,"  said  Reason  again,  "  We  who  are  of  nature, 
are  quite  willing  to  go  nature's  way,  as  for  the  worms, 
neither  thy  God  nor  the  Church  can  save  thee  from  them, 
We  care  not  for  the  dead  but  for  the  living." 

"  Fools  !  Fools  !  Ye  lean  upon  a  reed  and  it  shall 
pierce  you."  Then  she  raised  her  stick  again.  "Death 
and  ruin  for  the  enemies  of  the  Church  !  Death  and  ruin 
for  those  who  despoil  the  holy  shrine  !  The  avenger 
cometh — lo  !  the  avenger  cometh  quickly." 

Her  nuns  huddled  close  together  and  crossed  them 
selves. 

Civility  caught  the  warden  by  the  hand  tremblingly. 

The  Queen  slowly  lowered  her  stick,  turned  and  walked 
away,  followed  by  he.r  attendants  who  shook  in  their 
limbs  as  if  the  curse  was  pronounced  upon  themselves. 

The  sun  was  down  by  this  time.  A  thunder  cloud 
rolled  up  which  hid  the  splendor  of  the  west.  It  grew 
darker,  dark.  A  far  off  thunder  shook  the  windows. 

"  Cheer  up,  my  brothers,"  said  Reason  who  alone  had 
heard  the  Queen  unmoved,  "there  will  undoubtedly  be 
trouble.  There  will  be  war  and  many  may  fall,  but  if 
we  must  die,  let  us  do  so  in  defence  of  Civility  and  her 
judgment,  for  her  judgment  is  right  and  just,  therefore, 
let  us  fear  nothing,  and  meet  our  fate  whatever  happens, 
with  stout  heart  and  steady  eye." 

As  he  spoke  a  flash  of  lightning  lighted  the  house,  and 
amidst  the  forewind  of  the  coming  shower  and  the  rolling 
and  rumbling  of  thunder,  the  excited  crowd  dispersed 
into  the  night. 


THE    CHURCH. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

HY)  RIGHTLY  broke  next  morning  the  day,  but  over 
NW     the  (^liy  lmgered  a  gloom,  and  in  the  hearts  of 
the  inhabitants  an  uneasiness  that  was  fiendish. 
The   wrath  of  the   Queen  was  full  of  evil.     In 
troops  they  stood  as  if  awaiting  some  terrible  catastrophe 
Neither  had  they  long  to  wait  until  the  troopers  and  sol 
diers  appeared,  ransacking  the  City  in  search  of  offenders. 
They  entered   the  houses  of  protesfants  overturned  and 
defaced  their  furniture,  and  treated  the  owners  with  the 
highest  indignity  and  cruelty.     They  bound  men  and  tor 
tured  them  till  they  promised  to  become  loyalists,  or  till 
their  cries  induced  them  to  let  them  go.   If  any  to  escape 
these  barbarities,  endeavored  to  save  themselves  by  flight 
they  were  pursued,  and  if  caught  they  were  burned  alive. 
On  such  scenes  the  clergy  of  the  Queen  feasted  their  eyes 
and  welcomed  the  report  thereof  with   the   most  lively 
transports  of  joy.     But  these  things  failed  their  purpose. 
They   called   to  the  mind  of  the  beholders,  the  words  of 
'Civility  and  established  the  truth  thereof.   They  establish- 
•ed  the  authority  of  Reason  and  the  beauty  of  Humanity. 
They  laid  bare  the  despotism  of  Infallible  and  the  Queen, 
uncovered  the  treachery  of  the  Church,  and  undermined 
the  constitution  thereof.     Owing  to  this,  the  number  of 
dissenters   continually   increased,    and    many  were   the 
victims,  but  more  escaped. 

,  Reason,  Humanity  and  Civility,  the  revivors  of  Com 
mon  sense  the  warden,  and  Justice  the  executioner, 
found  a  protector  in  Erasmus. 


THE    TABLEAU.  131 

Both  Civility  and  Humanity  were  thrown  into  a  dread 
ful  fear  by  the  Queen's  prophecy,  despite  Reason's  courage. 
"Such  a  prediction  by  a  professed  ghost  inspired  person 
age,  hath  in  it  something  terrible  to  the  infirm  and  weak. 
At  that  time  even  the  strongest  (excepting  Reason)  were 
quick  to  consider  any  old  rustical  creature  able  to  inspire 
ghosts  and  command  magic  powers,  and  why  not  the 
mysterious  Christiana  in  possession  of  witchcraft?  Only 
a  few  monthfl  had  passed  since  the  burning  of  nine  hun 
dred  such  women  by  Infallible. 

"  As  for  battles,"  said  Reason,  "  the  world  is  full  of 
them  and  more  shall  come.  Sweethearts,  it  needs  no 
witch  to  see  blood  in  the  red  sky,  and  to  hear  the  groans 
of  dying  men.  Courage,  perhaps  war  will  not  come." 

Erasmus,  subject  of  the  Queen  but  an  admirable 
character,  friend  of  Reason  and  Humanity,  student  of 
Plato,  Pico  and  Fincino,  gave  ample  comfort  and  safety 
to  his  guests  in  the  midst  of  Despotism.  He  was  an 
intimate  friend  of  Christiana,  not  that  he  loved  her,  but 
had  sought  her  acquaintance  that  he  might  reform  her. 
Like  Savonarola,  by  the  aid  of  his  learning  he  discovered 
the  confusion  of  the  Church,  being  an  institution  of  the 
Queen,  but  with  Infallible  and  his  prescriptions  at  the 
head  of  it,  in  it  and  all  over  it.  Therefore  he  concluded 
that  the  Queen  was  being  foully  dealt  with  by  Infallible, 
and  that  he  cared  not  for  the  Queen  nor  for  her  interest 
but  only  for  the  wealth  of  the  people,  the  gain  of  which 
was  his  sole  object.  By  investigation,  he  found  that  his 
prescriptions  from  first  to  last  were  so  constituted  as  to 
draw  annually  immense  sums  of  money  into  his  coffers. 
All  this  he  did  in  the  name  of  God  and  Christiana. 
With  these  andjjother  discoveries,  Erasmus  went  to  Rea 
son.  Reason  led  him  to  Common  Sense,  and  Common 
Sense  to  Justice,  and  with  the  material  these  admirable 


132  THE   TABLEAU. 

characters  of  understanding  and  courage  furnished,  he 
prepared  a  satire  on  the  follies  of  Infallible  and  his  aliens 
in  which  their  crimes  and  impositions  were  laid  bare  and 
denounced,  also  which  contained  paragraphs  in  favor  of 
Reason  and  Tolerance,  for  Humanity  and  Civility.  This 
he  laid  before  the  Queen  and  scattered  amidst  Infallible's 
co-operators.  This  bold  satire  did  much  to  enlighten  the 
Queen  and  her  subjects  in  general,  to  the  need  of  reform, 
turned  the  ridicule  of  the  world  on  Infallible,  and  as  a 
natural  consequence  raised  against  Erasmus,  the  hatred 
of  those  whose  follies  he  had  so  keenly  satirized,  but 
Common  Sense  and  Justice  were  his  protection. 

This  was  not  enough,  he  must  again  go  to  Reason  for 
more  effective  and  lasting  modes  of  reformation.  The  con 
stitution  of  the  Church  had  been  put  in  the  hands  of  Infal 
lible,  who  alone  had  access  to  it,  also  who  alone  was  able 
to  read  it,  for  it  was  written  in  his  language  only.  Chris 
tiana  had  never  read  it  and  therefore  knew  not  what  was 
in  it,  and  had  no  standard  by  which  to  decide  whether 
Infallible  was  acting  constitutional  or  unconstitutional. 

Therefore,  Reason  said,  "Translate  the  law  that  the 
Queen  may  read  and  judge,  and  discover  the  treachery  of 
Infallible  and  the  Church.  She  will  discover  the  con 
spiracy  thereof,  to  overthrow  her  Empire  and  rob  her  of 
all  she  hath." 

Erasmus  was  a  thorough  scholar  and  master  of  both 
the  Queen's  and  Infallible's  tongue.  He  went  to  translate, 
and  soon  to  the  joy  of  the  Queen  but  to  the  wrath  of  Infal 
lible,  the  new  book  came  forth. 

The  satire  had  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  law, 
and  when  it  (the  law  of  Christiana,  divorced  from  the 
prescriptions  of  Infallible)  appeared,  there  ran  a  whisper 
through  the  land  which  waxed  into  thunderbolts. 

Infallible  was  called  upon  to  reform,  but  this  only  made 


THE   TABLEAU.  133 

him  more  wrathful.  His  inspiration  of  Divine  Provi 
dence,  as  he  said,  demanded  that  he  be  next  to  the  Gods, 
and  having  rehearsed  and  confirmed  the  demand  by 
many  testimonials,  and  imprisonments,  and  tortures,  and 
executions  of  unbelievers,  the  demand  had  become  an 
established  superstition. 

"I  am  the  ordained  power,"  he  said,  "therefore,  let 
every  soul  be  subject  unto  the  ordained  power,  for  there 
is  no  power  but  of  God.  The  powers  that  be  are  ordained 
of  God.  Whosoever  therefore,  resisteth  the  power,  resist- 
eth  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  they  that  resist  shall 
receive  unto  themselves  damnation.  For  rulers  are  not 
a  terror  to  the  submissive,  but  to  them  that  disobey. 
Will  ye  then  not  be  afraid  of  the  power  ?  Do  that  which 
I  command  and  ye  shall  have  the  praise  of  the  same,  for 
I  am  the  minister  of  God,  for  ye  to  do  good,  but  if  ye  do  it 
not,  then  be  afraid,  for  I  bear  not  the  sword  in  vain.  I 
am  the  minister  of  God,  a  revenger  to  execute  wrath 
upon  the  disobedient." — Bible. 

Thus  by  the  law,  damnation  was  upon  the  disobedient, 
but  the  satire  made  way  to  overcome  this  obstacle.  Eras 
mus  spoke  for  Civility  and  Tolerance.  The  generals  of 
war  sided  with  him  and  the  Queen.  Even  in  the  midst 
of  the  ranks  of  Infallible  was  made  a  break,  though  not 
for  Erasmus  or  his  guests.  Luther,  an  honest,  but  de 
luded  and  over  zealous  priest,  made  the  break.  By  the 
reading  of  the  works  of  Erasmus,  he  was  led  to  discover 
his  error  in  supporting  the  Church  as  it  were  made  by 
Infallible.  Luther  eagerly  turned  over  the  pages  of  the 
law,  rejoicing  with  the  Queen  in  the  new  light  it  shed  on 
old  and  familiar  passages,  but  what  a  disappointment  it 
was  as  by  degrees,  he  discovered  that  there  was  a  great 
•difference  between  the  law  and  the  Church,  that  the  law 
was  not  in  the  Church  at  all,  the  doctrines  he  preached 


134  THE    TABLEAU. 

and  on  which  his  faith  was  built,  were  not  in  the  law. 
He  knew  that  Erasmus  was  doing  a  great  work,  but  that 
he  defended  Reason  and  Humanity  as  the  workers  of  all 
good,  while  he  himself  held  Reason  and  Humanity  as 
devilish,  and  God  alone  the  source  of  good.  This  made 
it  all  the  more  painful  to  find  that  in  these  points  they 
differed.  He  was  moved  by  it,  but  said  :  "  I  will  keep  it  to 
myself  lest  I  should  play  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies. 
May  God  give  him  understanding  in  his  own  good  time."" 

The  question  had  this  future  significance,  that  if  the 
Queen  should  adopt  the  God  Theology  (which  she  did), 
Erasmus  could  expect  little  favor  from  her. 

Luther,  like  Erasmus  entered  the  work  of  reformation 
by  preparing  a  satire  in  defence  of  Christiana  and  denun 
ciation  of  Infallible.  The  gist  of  it  was  as  follows  : 

"To  the  Nobility  of  Christiana  and  her  Empire, 
Martin  Luther  wishes  grace,  etc.  Infallible  and  his 
aliens  have  raised  a  wall  around  themselves  to  protect 
them  from  reform.  One  is  their  doctrine — that  there  are 
two  separate  estates ;  the  one  spiritual,  viz  :  Pope, 
bishops,  priests,  and  monks ;  the  other  secular,  viz  : 
Princes,  nobles,  artisans,  and  laborers.  The  former  lay 
it  down  that  the  secular  power  has  no  power  over  the 
spiritual,  but  that-  the  spiritual  is  above  the  secular, 
whereas,  all  Christians  are  spriitual  and  there  is  no  differ 
ence  between  them.  The  secular  power  is  of  God,  to 
punish  the  wicked  and  protect  the  good,  and  so  has  rule 
over  the  whole  body  of  Christians  without  exception; 
pope,  bishops,  monks,  and  all,  for  Saint  Paul  says  :  'Let 
every  soul  be  subject  to  the  higher  powers,  for  all  powers 
are  of  God.'" 

The  satire  in  relation  to  the  Church,  differed  little  from 
the  standpoint  which  Erasmus  had  taken,  but  regarding 
the  standard  of  authority  and  good,  was  a  great  breach. 


THE    TABLEAU.  135 

Luther  turned  from  one  folly  into  another.  Formerly, 
he  held  that  the  Church  was  an  institution  of  God,  and 
under  his  supervision,  but  seeing  its  wickedness  he  con 
cluded  that  the  Church  was  of  the  devil,  or  at  least 
captured  by  the  devil  from  God. 

Therefore,  his  reform  was  no  reform,  but  a  reinstating 
of  the  former  ages  of  the  Church,  on  the  same  principle, 
the  same  law,  and  the  same  authority.  He  sought  to 
transfer  the  power  of  Infallible  to  the  general  of  war, 
whose  court  should  constitute  the  Inquisition,  and  whose 
power  should  prosecute  heretics  to  the  new  Order,  as  the 
Church  prosecuted  heretics  in  her  order. 

Luther  was  writing  to  the  secular  princes,  and  they 
were  likely  to  listen  to  this  setting  up  of  their  authority 
above  the  clergy.  Erasmus,  on  discovering  the  position 
which  Luther  had  taken,  saw  Ms  folly  and  immediately 
endeavored  to  show  to  him  his  error,  but  the  over  zealous 
Luther  listened  not. 

Like  a  man  laid  out  in  a  morgue  coming  to  life,  will 
make  wild  crusades,  so  with  Luther.  He  ran  in  his 
deadman's  cloth,  attracting  the  attention  of  all  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact  by  his  cries  about  the  wickedness  of 
the  morgue.  In  the  camp  of  a  pirate  band  he  made- 
well  his  escape.  Such  a  band  was  sure  to  side  in  with 
Luther.  Hutten,  the  chief,  was  stirred  by  the  revelations 
of  Luther,  and  resolved  to  rush  into  the  fight  against 
Infallible.  "Servant  of  God,"  he  said,  "  dispair  not. 
Could  I  but  lend  a  helping  hand,  or  in  these  matters 
counsel  thee,  so  would  I  neither  spare  my  goods  nor  my 
own  life." 

To  his  countrymen  the  Germans,  he  issued  in  rhyme  a 
satire  on  the  extravagant  and  unchristian  power  of  Infal 
lible.  He  appealed  to  the  Emperor  as  the  natural  leader 
of  the  German  nation.  He  alone  should  be  captain. 


136  THE   TABLEAU. 

"Help,  worthy  King!"  he  said,  "unfurl  the  standard  of 
the  eagle  and  we  will  lift  it  high.  If  warnings  will  not 
do,  there  are  steeds  and  armor,  halberts  and  swords,  and 
we  can  use  them." 

The  union  of  Luther  and  Hutten,  in  defence  of  Christi 
ana  and  rejection  of  Infallible,  induced  her  to  elope 
with  Luther  and  accept  his  interpretations  of  the  law. 
The  consequence  was  a  war  between  the  Gods.  Luther 
unfurled  the  banner  of  Christiana  and  so  did  Infallible, 
and  a  general  division  followed.  One  God,  and  one 
Queen,  but  two  interpretations  of  the  law  and  two  leaders. 

Erasmus  sided  with  neither  party,  but  continued  to 
preach  Tolerance  and  Civility,  Reason  and  Humanity. 
In  a  treatise  entitled  "  Dissertation  on  the  Freedom  of  Will" 
he  upheld  Reason  as  the  author  of  all  good,  and  that 
without  Reason  no  good  could  be  accomplished. 

His  aim  was  mainly  to  enlighten  Luther  and  turn  him 
from  his  absolutism  into  a  channel  more  compromis- 
sory. 

Luther  was  in  fact  greatly  excited,  declaring  that  those 
who  did  not  join  in  contending  with  him  against  Infalli* 
Me,  could  not  be  saved,  and  that  those  who  took  delight 
in  his  religion  must  be  lost  forever.  He  issued  abusive 
satires,  hurling  all  sorts  of  names  against  Infallible,  and 
pushed  his  own  interpretations  to  so  extreme  a  point  as 
to  amount  to  fanaticism.  Grand  as  Luther  may  appear, 
•he  dared  to  make  himself  the  mouth-piece  of  Germany 
demanding  reform,  threatening  revolution  if  reform  could 
not  be  had,  rising  personally  against  the  common  order 
^-it  must  be  admitted  that  he  kindled  a  dangerous  fire. 
Will  not  such  wild  words  lead  to  still  wilder  acts  ? 
Sober-minded  on-lookers  like  Erasmus  feared  this.  He 
had  feared  from  the  firfct  that  Luther's  want  of  discre 
tion  might  bring  on  a  universal  revolution,  and  urged 


THE    TABLEAU.  131 

s. 

therefore  moderation,  but  instead  of  that,  had  come  still 
wilder  defiance. 

Erasmus  said,  "  I  see  no  end  of  it  but  the  drenching 
with  blood  of  the  whole  world." 

The  fears  of  Erasmus  were  well  founded,  for  already 
thousands  of  peasants  had  followed  Luther's  advice  and 
were  marching  against  the  forces  of  Infallible.  Then 
again,  if  Lutherians  should  come  into  power,  would  they 
not,  void  of  Reason  and  Humanity  in  their  doctrines, 
follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Church,  with  the  satne  con 
demnation  of  the  law  for  heretics? 

We  shall  see. 


REFORMATION. 


CHAPTER   XV. 


ffi/  T  was  Christmas  day  in  Misrule  —  no  other  than  the 

!       day  when  pea<  e  and  good  will  is  a  very  desirable 

tij     thing.     The  population  awoke  early  in  the  morning, 

and  arose  long  before  daybreak,  expecting  nothing 

less  than  a  day  of  feasting  and  rejoicing,  with  a  second 

and  a  third  to  follow,  all  of  mirth  and  joy.   The  beginning 

was  well,  but  of  the  end  ?     You  shall  hear. 

In  the  morning  all  the  children  and  the  servants  and 
the  aged  shouted  Christmas  greetings  and  received 
merry-makers,  the  children  of  St.  Nicholas,  the  God  of 
children,  and  the  aged  of  Jehovah,  the  God  of  the  aged. 

All  the  old  customs  did  not  perish  when  the  religion 
changed  —  the  ox  still  looked  in  the  manger  for  salvation 
—  the  men  of  the  east  still  exchanged  their  gold  and 
silver  for  pleasure  —  the  stars  twinkled  over  stables  and 
the  cock  crowed,  "  Christ  is  born."  The  raven  awoke 
and  croaked,  "When?"  and  the  crow  replied,  "This 
night."  The  sheep  asked,  "Where?"  and  the  goats 
answered,  "  In  Bethlehem."  The  drake  whispered,  "What 
for?"  and  the  goose  cried,  "To  save  the  world." 

After  breakfast  they  all  went  to  Church.  'Twas  a  still 
morning,  the  fences  were  frosty  and  the  dikes  frozen 
over.  Such  a  morning  is  agreeable  when  the  world 
seems  hushed  and  awed  by  the  tremendous  event  of  the 
night.  ^ 

Luther  led,  Obedience  followed,  and  all  the  people 
after,  save  th3  maids  who  must  stay  behind  to  dress  and 
serve  the  Christmas  feast.  That  to  be  sure,  was  a  very 


THE    TABLEAU.  139 

complicated  store — beef,  turkey,  fat  geese,  and  game, 
plum  porridge,  plum  pudding,  plum  pie,  small  ale,  soft 
wines,  and  light  blackberry. 

The  opening  service  was  conducted  by  Luther  praying 
for  peace  and  protection,  expounding  the  law,  and 
begging  the  people  to  cease  supporting  Rome  and  to  rebel. 
"  Why,"  he  said,  "  should  300,000  florins  be  sent  every 
year  to  Infallible?  Why  do  you  let  yourselves  be  fleeced 
by  cardinals  who  get  hold  of  the  best  of  the  land,  and 
live  in  idleness  and  extravagance?  Let  us  not  give 
another  farthing  to  the  institutions  of  Infallible.  The 
whole  thing  is  a  snare  to  drain  us  of  our  money.  Let 
the  power  of  Infallible  be  reduced  within  clear  limits. 
Let  us  inquire  into  the  position  of  the  Bohemians,  and  if 
Huss  was  in  the  right,  let  us  join  with  him  in  resisting 
Rome." 

Then  followed  a  general  testimony  meeting,  confirm 
ing  and  applauding  the  assertions  and  appeals  of  the 
leader.  The  exercises  over,  the  people  flocked  out. 
Luther  retired  to  his  mansion,  but  the  people  were  wont 
to  stay  and  discuss  the  sermon.  While  they  were  yet 
discussing  the  call  of  Luther  for  resisting  Rome,  there 
came  several  merchants  with  Grievance  from  the  district 
of  Oppression,  demanding  speech  with  Luther,  but  he 
was  away.  So  Grievance  and  Obedience  went  together 
into  the  church  and  conversed  for  sometime,  after  which 
they  came  forth.  Obedience  mounted  the  steps  of  the 
cross-statue  of  Christiana,  where  he  stood  looking  very 
gravely,  so  that  all  the  world  could  see  that  he  had 
news  to  tell.  Then  he  spoke:  "My  Friends!  Here 
is  news  which  is  likely  to  give  ample  opportunity  to 
practice  what  has  been  preached  to  us.  It  is  likely  to 
be  a  feast  spoiler,  yet  needs  must  I  tell  you.  It  is  such 
news  as  I  hoped  never  to  hear  in  my  lifetime.  Yet  since 


140  THE    TABLEAU. 

we  are  prepared  by  exhortations  of  Luther,  and  since  it 
has  been  threatened  long,  surely  the  sooner  it  happens 
the  better  while  we  are  hot  in  discussion,  and  while  we 
are  resolved  to  hold  our  own.  You  all  know  that  Infalli 
ble,  once  the  consort  of  Queen  Christiana,  doth  continual 
ly  devise  mischief  to  this  country.  That  has  long  been 
known,  nor  will  anything  we  are  convinced,  assuage  his 
hellish  malice  and  rage  insatiable. 

Briefly  then,  he  now  aims  at  nothing  less  than  the  sub 
jugation  of  this  our  realm,  the  enslaving  of  us  all,  and 
the  overthrow  of  our  free  religion.  Doubtless  he  has 
been  more  than  commonly  enraged  by  the  great  havoc 
wrought  among  his  subjects  by  our  brave  commander 
Martin  Luther,  wherefore,  having  few  of  his  supporters  left, 
he  hath  with  the  wealth  wrought  from  us,  enlisted,  bribed 
and  imported  barbarians,  which  he  is  now  fitting  out 
with  guns  and  munitions  of  war,  intending  to  rise  against 
us,  But  thanks  to  our  Christian  chief  Luther,  with  the 
blessing  of  the  Lord  we  shall  know  how  to  meet  ,them. 
But  every  man  who  can  handle  a  pike  and  carry  a  lance, 
will  be  wanted.  Wherefore,  ye  will  go  home  to  your 
Christmas  fare,  with  the  knowledge  that  you  must  short 
ly  fight  for  your  freedom  and  religion.  Keep  the  feast 
joyfully,  in  the  firm  trust  that  the  Lord  will  protect  his 
people."  "  My  Lads,"  he  continued,  "  I  know  that  you 
will  all  play  the  part  of  men,  seeing  what  is  before  you. 
Every  district  will,  according  to  its  means,  contribute  to 
the  army  which  in  the  name  of  God  and  Christiana,  shall 
meet  this  great  invasion.  We  must  do  our  part  and  equip  a 
company  to  strike  a  blow  for  freedon  and  for  faith.  My 
Lads  !  "  here  he  raised  his  hand;  "  who  volunteers?" 

Carlstadt  and  Miizner,  sprang  forward  with  a  shout ; 
others  followed.  Then  came  one  of  the  village  lads,  a 
mere  stable  boy,  lugged  off  his  hat  and  pulled  his  fore- 


THE    TABLEAU.  141 

lock.  "  May  it  ^please  your  honor  to  take  me?"  he  said, 
and  then  another — and  another — O  brave  lads  of  Misrule 
— till  from  the  settlement  was  an  army  alone — think  of 
those  brave  lads  !  They  had  plodded  in  the  fields  all 
their  lives,  with  plow,  sickle  and  flail,  and  now  they  were 
soldiers  going  forth  to  fight  for  freedom.  They  went  be 
cause  Luther  led  the  way.  Our  brave  Christians  will  go 
anywhere  if  they  are  led — only  make  a  noise. 

"Gentlemen,"  said  Obedience  to  the  merchants,  "Here 
are  our  lads.  If  every  villiage  does  as  well,  we  shall  be 
well  sped.  Carlstadt,  bring  your  troop  to  the  hall. 
Grievance,  you  will  feast  with  me  today,  and  tomorrow 
we  will  take  such  order  as  inspiration  may  give."  So 
with  a  shout  the  men  followed,  headed  by  Carlstadt,  and 
with  him  Miizner,  walking  with  drawn  caps,  and  not  a 
lad  among  them  but  held  up  his  head  and  straightened 
his  back  as  if  he  were  marching  to  battle.  Nay  !  the 
aged  men  who  must  stay,  also  straightened  their  backs  and 
stuck  out  their  legs  as  if  they,  too,  felt  the  glow  of  war. 
And  the  boys  cheered  and  ran  beside  the  troop  and 
envied  them.  As  for  the  women,  some  wept,  but  not 
aloud,  and  some  there  were  whose  faces  were  pale,  while 
others  praised  the  Lord.  Never  was  Christmas  kept 
with  more  lusty  cheer  or  greater  rejoicing.  -  One  would 
fain  have  thought  from  the  feasting,  laughing  and  sing 
ing  of  these  fellows  that  the  prospect  of  fighting  was  the 
most  joyful  thing  in  the  world.  The  heavy  country  lads 
became  suddenly  nimble — those  who  would  have  the  day 
before  sat  mum  over  the  Lord's  Prayer,  now  laughed  and 
joked,  and  were  as  merry  as  so  many  circus  operators. 
Even  Grievance,  who,  if  Misrule  won  the  battle,  would 
assuredly  meet  the  fate  of  Judas,  even  Grievance,  I  say, 
laughed  and  cracked  his  fingers  at  the  jests  of  the  lads  of 
Misrule.  They  feasted  all  day.  Obedience  sat  in  his 


142  THE    TABLEAU. 

great  arm  chair,  with  Carlstadt  and  Miizner  by  his  side. 
After  the  Christmas  antics  a  bowl  of  punch  was  brought, 
and  some  sang  war  songs,  and  the  talk  fell  on  battles, 
and  great  deeds  of  the  Germans  in  days  gone  by,  and  on 
the  Church — of  its  slums  and  shame,  of  its  violence  and 
robbery.  Presently  the  old  folks  went  away — the  lads 
and  the  maids  were  left  alone  by  the  red  glow  of  the  logs 
on  the  hearth,  and  the  talk  fell  to  more  serious  things. 
"  There  are  no  soldiers  like  the  Germans  for  courage  and 
for  holding  out,"  said  the  lads.  "  The  English  are  good, 
but  Germans  are  best.  God  grant  you  victory,"  said  the 
maidg,  but  alas  ! 

The  next  day  Luther  returned  from  his  retirement, 
and  tne  leaders  of  the  organization  came  to  him — and 
this  is  proof  of  their  sincerity — expecting  him  of  course, 
to  side  in  with  their  doings.  Luther  at  once  recognized 
Obedience,  but  also  recognized  the  dragon's  teeth  he  had 
sown  by  preaching  rebellion  to  the  ignorant  peasants,  and 
seeing  himself  in  a  pickle,  he  turned  traitor  and  said  : 
"  Ye  have  misunderstood  me.  Your  doings  are  of  the 
devil." 

Then  the  men  were  undone.  Obedience,  with  a  voice 
of  thunder  and  stamping  his  feet  and  striking  the  table, 
gave  vent  to  his  surprise,  and  then  gathering  up  his 
dignity,  he  said  solemnly  : 

"  That  thou  mayst,  0  Luther,  know  that  I  am  inspired, 
I  will  tell  thee  what  is  passing  in  thy  mind."  Luther 
was  wild  with  regret,  and  pale  like  one  fainting.  But 
Obedience  pressed  him  hard.  *' Thou  art  in  thy  mind 
thinking  that  we  are  doing  according  to  thy  instruc 
tions,"  to  which  Luther  replied :  "  The  Lord  rebuke 
thee,  Satan.  The  God  whom  I  worship  will  crush  thee,'' 
and  with  these  parting  words  he  dismissed  them,  even 
drove  them  out  of  Misrule. 


THE    TABLEAU.  143 

Obedience  fell  dead  on  the  way.  Carlstadt  and  Miin- 
zer  went  forth  from  Misrule,  silent  and  sad,  not  knowing 
whither  to  go.  They  were  walking  slowly  en  the  road  to 
Oppression.  A  terrible  storm  burst  forth,  and  the  roads 
were  flooded.  Weary  and  wet  through,  they  sought  for 
shelter.  At  last  on  the  borders  of  Oppression  they  found 
an  Inn,  the  Inn  of  Reflection.  The  Landlord  received 
them  kindly.  They  took  seats  near  the  door,  not  daring 
to  go  in.  At  one  of  the  tables  sat  a  solitary  man  in  a 
knight's  dress.  His  right  hand  rested  on  the  pommel  of  his 
sword,  his  left  grasped  the  hilt,  and  before  him  lay  an 
open  book,  which  he  appeared  to  be  reading  with  great 
attention.  At  their  entrance,  he  raised  his  head,  saluted 
them,  and  invited  them  to  sit  at  his  table,  then  present 
ing  them  with  a  glass  of  wine  and  alluding  to  their 
accent,  he  said  :  "You  are  Germans,  I  perceive,  but  from 
what  town?" 

"  From  Misrule,"  said  one. 

"  If  you  are  going  to  Oppression,  you  may  join  our  party 
and  have  fellow  travelers,  for  it  is  thither  we  go." 

Encouraged  by  this  kind  reception,  they  added  :  "  Sir, 
could  you  inform  us  where  Common  Sense  and  Justice 
are  at  present?" 

"I  know  for  certain,"  replied  the  knight,  "that  they 
are  not  in  Oppression,  but  will  be  there  soon.  Erasmus 
is  there.  Study  his  works,  that  you  may  know  the  worth 
of  Civility  and  Reason.  Study  Greek  and  Hebrew,  that 
you  may  interpret  the  law." 

"If  God  spare  our  lives,"  observed  one  of  the  men,  "we 
will  not  rest  until  we  know  all  about  it,  for  it  is  on 
account  of  the  law  that  we  were  cast  out.  We  would 
join  Common  Sense  and  Justice  in  their  defense  of  Rea 
son  and  Humanity,  We  know  that  they  desire  to  abolish 
priesthood  and  mass,  ami  as  we  are  of  the  same  desire, 


144  THE   TABLEAU. 

we  would  like  to  know  clearly  on  what  grounds  they 
found  their  position.". 

The  knight  was  silent  for  a  moment  and  then  resumed  : 

"Did  I  understand  that  you  hail  from  Misrule?" 

"  That  is  it,"  they  said. 

"la  Luther  still  in  hiding  ?    What  is  he  doing  ?" 

They  replied  to  his  questions  and  there  was  another 
pause.  The  men  were"  astonished,  and  knew  not  what  to 
make  of  the  knight. 

"  My  good  friends,"  he  said  again,  "what  think  they  of 
Common  Sense  in  Misrule?" 

"  Sir,"  replied  Carlstadt,  "  a  few  regard  him  as  noble, 
but  the  majority  condemn  him  as  an  abominable  heretic." 

"  Luther  and  the  priests  no  doubt,"  said  the  stranger. 

Miizner  had  taken  the  knight's  book  and  found  it  to 
be  a  Bible.  He  laid  it  down  immediately  and  said  :  "  I 
would  willingly  give  one  of  my  fingers  if  I  could  interpret 
that  book." 

"  You  will  attain  your  wish  if  you  abide  with  me." 

A  few  minutes  after,  Carlstadt  heard  the  Landlord 
calling  him.  The  poor  fellqw  thought  something  had 
gone  wrong,  but  the  host  whispered  to  him  :  "  I  perceive 
that  you  have  a  great  desire  to  see  and  hear  Common 
Sense — well,  it  is  he  who  is  seated  beside  you." 

Carlstadt  took  this  for  a  joke,  and  said,  "  Mr.  Land 
lord,  you  want  to  fool  me."  "  It  is  he  in  truth,"  affirmed 
the  host,  "  but  let  him  not  know  that  you  are  aware  of 
it." 

On  returning  to  the  room  he  was  very  anxious  to  re 
peat  to  his  comrade  the  position,  but  he  could  not 
manage  it.  At  last  he  found  an  opportunity  and 
whispered  : 

"The  host  assured  me  that  this  man  was  Common 
Sense." 


THE    TABLEAU. 

"  Perhaps  Nonsense,"  replied  his  comrade,  "  You  did 
not  hear  distinctly." 

"  It  may  be  so,"  returned  Carlstadt,  "  that  the  Landlord 
said  it  is  Nonsense,  the  two  names  are  much  alike,  and  I 
mistook  one  for  the  other." 

At  that  moment  the  clattering  hoofs  of  a  rider  were 
heard,  which  brought  the  knight  to  his  feet.  A  second 
knight  entered  the  room.  After  a  hearty  welcome  the  new 
comer  took  off  his  helmet  and  mantle,  which  the  other 
received  and  cared  for.  Then  he  placed  an  unbound  book 
upon  the  table,  which  soon  attracted  his  comrade's  notice. 

"  What  book  is  that?"  he  asked. 

"  A  Commentary  on  some  of  the  Gospels  and  Epistles, 
by  Dr.  Luther,"  replied  the  other.  "  It  is  just  published. 

"  It  shall  aid  us  in  overcoming  Christiana,"  said  the 
first. 

With  this  the  Landlord  announced  that  supper  was 
waiting,  also  a  woman  most  beautiful,  wearing  the  ap 
parel  of  a  princess,  appeared  from  a  side  room,  saluted 
the  astonished  outcasts,  and  exchanged  smiles  with  the 
knights. 

Carlstadt,  fearing  the  expense  of  a  meal  in  company 
with  the  knights,  requested  the  host  to  be  served  apart. 
But  he  said  :  "  Come  along,  take  your  places  with  the 
gentlemen,  I  will  charge  you  moderately." 

'"Come  along,"  said  the  princess,  "I  will  settle  the* 
score." 

During  the  meal  the  strangers  mentioned  the  names  of 
Reason  and  Tolerance,  and  of  Humanity  and  Civility, 
and  spoke  of  a  happy  meeting  beyond  the  borders  of 
Oppression. 

The  Christians  were  all  ears,  paying  more  attention  to 
the  words  that  were  said  than  to  the  dishes  set  before, 
them. 


146  THE   TABLEAU. 

When  supper  was  over,  the  first  knight  after  the 
manner  of  the  Country,  filled  for  the  men  of  Misrule, 
glasses  of  wine  and  said  :  "  Christians,  one  glass  more  for 
health  and  strength,"  but  as  he  was  about  to  pass  the 
drinks,  he  set  them  down  again  and  offered  them  water 
Baying,  a  I  forgot,  Christians  do  not  drink  wine." 

The  Princess  then  arose  and  extending  her  hand  to  the 
surprised  spectators,  said  to  them.  "  My  good  friends, 
receive  the  good  will  of  Liberty.  Behold  Common  Sense! 
Behold  Justice  !  My  protectors.  I  pray  you  go  with  us 
into  the  land  of  oppression,  and  help  us  to  deliver  man 
kind  from  the  bonds  of  the  Church,  from  the  tyranny  of 
Infallible,  from  the  misrule  of  Luther." 

With  these  words  she  quitted  the  room,  leaving  the 
Christians  full  of  admiration,  at  her  kindness  and  good 
nature.  ^ 

Fortunately  for  the  world,  Common  Sense  was  in  pos 
session  of  the  keys  to  the  prison  house  of  Despotism. 
Ever  since  his  conversion,  he  had  sought  an  opportunity 
to  approach  the  cell  of  Liberty,  and  lead  her  forth,  but 
until  the  rebellion  of  Luther,  the  attention  of  Infallible 
was  wholly  upon  the  deserters  of  the  court  and  their  con 
verters,  but  when  Luther  issued  his  proclamation  for  re 
sistance  against  Rome,  he  ceased  his  hunt  after  Reason 
and  turned  upon  Luther.  This  gave  a  slight  chance  for 
Liberty's  deliverance.  Common  Sense,  acquainted  with 
all  the  allies  and  cells  of  Despotism,  by  the  aid  of  Justice, 
had  in  the  absence  of  watch,  turned  the  key  and  rescued 
the  prize,  and  were  now  on  the  way  to  the  house  of  Eras 
mus,  where  Tolerance  and  Civility,  Reason  and  Human 
ity,  were  in  waiting. 

^Carlstadt  and  Miinzer,  by  the  aid  of  Common  Sense 
and  Justice,  made  interpretations  of  the  law,  naturally 
not  the  same  as  Infallible  or  Luther  (for  in  a  thousand 


THE    TABLEAU.  147 

interpretations  of  the  law  of  Christiana,  no  two  are 
alike),  but  as  they  understood  and  as  events  inspired. 
With  Zwingle,  another  deserter  with  whom  they  met, 
they  went  into  the  districts  of  Oppression,  and  began  to 
purge  the  Church,  taking  incidents  from  the  law  as  their 
guide,  such  as  the  purging  of  the  Temple  by  Jesus. 
"  Cast  the  thieves  out,"  they  said. 

The  images  were  upset  and  the  forms  changed.  Along 
with  many  reforms  which  Luther  had  urged,  they  claim 
ed  for  the  people  the  right  of  having  worship  performed 
in  their  own  language  instead  of  in  a  language  which  no 
one  understood.  They  preached  a  crusade  against  all 
who  opposed  their  way  of  interpretation  of  the  gospel, 
and  urged  physical  defense  thereof. 

Driven  from  city  to  city,  by  the  authorities  of  Infalli 
ble,  and  by  Lutherans,  they  went  more  and  more  into  the 
districts  of  Oppression,  and  among  the  poor,  and  who  shall 
blame  them  ?  As  they  preached  from  place  to  place, 
they  soon  had  a  deep  drain  laid  for  revolution.  It  broke 
in  the  regions  of  the  Black  Forest,  a  theatre  of  commo 
tion.  The  bishops  and  princess  under  Infallible  and 
Luther  (who  was  now  like  Infallible),  rose  against  the 
demands  of  the  people.  A  declaration  had  been  publish 
ed  in  twelve  articles,  in  which  the  people  claimed  the 
right  of  choosing  their  own  pastors,  the  abolition  of 
double  taxation,  of  slavery,  and  of  division  with  lords  of 
inheritance — the  right  to  hunt,  fish  and  cut  wood,  etc. 
Each  demand  was  backed  by  a  passage  from  the  law,  and 
they  said,  "If  we  are  deceived,  let  Luther  correct  us  by 
scripture." 

Luther  was  consulted  and  this  is  what  he  gave  assent  to: 

"  The  peasants  are  criminals  against  whom  is  invoked 
all  law,  human  and  divine.  If  they  do  not  submit,  they 
should  be  hounded  down  like  robbers  and  assassins." 


148  THE    TABLEAU. 

Himself,  he  said  to  turn  aside  his  guilt : 
"  The  Bishops  are  the  cause  of  this  revolt.  It  is  not 
the  peasantry,  my  dear  Lords,  that  rises  against  you  ;  it 
is  God  himself  who  opposes  your  madness — the  peasants 
are  inspired  to  arise  and  humble  you.  Fear  God,  not  the 
peasants," 

To  the  peasants  he  said  : 

"  Infallible  and  the  Emperor  combined  against  me,  but 
the  more  they  blustered  the  more  ground  I  gained — 
and  why  was  this  ?" 

(Answer  by  the  people.)  "First,  because  thou  didst 
find  protection  by  Hiitten,  the  pirate  knight. 

"  Second,  because  thou  didst  retire  from  the  public. 
"  Third,  because  thou  didst  turn  traitor  to  the  people, 
and  submitted  to  the  Princess,  under  the  rule  of  Infalli 
ble — direct  supporters  of  the  Emperor." 

"  Christians,  fight  not  with  swords  or  arquebuses,"  he 
continued,  but  with  suffering  and  with  the  cross." 

(Voice)  "Then  why  reform?  Is  not  the  reign  of 
Infallible  worthy  of  support  for  the  sake  of  sufferings  and 
the  crosses?" 

"  Christ,  our  Captain,"  he  went  on,  "  handled  not  the 
sword." 

(Voice)     "  He  was  hung  on  a  tree." 
"  Hypocrite,"  cried  the  people,  "  he  flatters  the  nobles. 
He  has  declared  war  against  Infallible,  and  yet  wishes 
us  to  submit  to  his  administrators,  our  oppressors." 

Ere  long  thousands  were  collected  and  organized  to 
liberate  themselves  from  the  subjugation  of  the  Church, 
and  conflicts  ensued.  Luther  hearing  that  the  peasants 
were  victorious,  and  finding  himself  an  enemy  of  their 
victory  and  their  demands,  ordered  his  followers  to  join 
the  ranks  of  Infallible  and  to  crush  them.  "  They  have 
committed  three  horrible  sins  against  God  and  man,  and 


THE    TABLEAU.  149 

thus  deserve  the  death  of  body  and  soul — they  revolt 
against  their  magistrates,  they  rob  convents,  and  they 
veil  their  crimes  with  the  Gospel,  for  this  reason,"  he 
said,  "  Dear  Lords,  help  to  crush  these  offenders.  Let 
everyone  strike,  pierce  and  kill  who  is  able.  If  ye  die  in 
this,  ye  cannot  meet  a  happier  death,  for  ye  die  in  the 
service  of  God,  and  to  save  thy  neighbor  from  hell." 

Thus  the  combined  forces  of  Church  and  State,  of 
Infallible  and  Luther,  were  thrown  upon  the  peasants, 
and  their  sword,  in  the  name  of  God,  crushed  them.  One 
hundred  thousand  perished.  So  ended  the  first  effort  to 
dethrone  the  Church  and  reinstate  Civility.  Luther 
throughout  this  war,  hounded  on  the  princes  in  their 
work  of  blood.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  to  some  extent 
he  was  the  cause  of  this  terrible  war. 

Erasmus  had  predicted  the  outcome,  and  it  had  come. 
The  monks  blamed  Erasmus  and  the  new  learning. 
Erasmus  blamed  the  wildness  of  Lulher  ;  Luther  blamed 
Carlstadt  and  Miinzer.  Who  was  to  blame?  Reason 
will  not  lay  the  blame  on  Erasmus  or  Luther,  or  on 
Carlstadt  or  Miinzer,  or  on  the  peasantry,  but  if  there  is 
an  all-knowing  being  pretending  to  lead  the  hearts  of 
men  and  superintending  the  Church,  and  powerful 
without  limit,  if  there  is  a  God  who  inspires  men,  his 
place  it  was  to  avert  the  conflagration,  by  timely  and 
peaceful  inspiration.  It  was  the  misguiding  of  Gods, 
If  it  was  not  this,  then  it  was  ignorance  and  ambition  in 
behalf  of  common  nature  on  a  large  scale — an  effort  or  a 
race  for  superiority  and  ease.  But  the  end  is  not  yet. 
The  old  Order  being  again  restored,  the  old  hatred  of 
Infallible  and  Luther  also  again  appeared.^  Not  only  the 
quarrels  of  Luther,  but  a  quarrel  with  the  Emperor,  soon 
brought  a  split  in  the  armies  combined  in  suppression  of 
the  peasantry.  '  The  next  thing  was  the  gathering  of  an 


150  THE    TABLEAU. 

army  under  George  Frundsberg,  an  army  composed 
almost  entirely  of  Lutherans,  under  a  Lutheran  general, 
a  host  of  divans,  insp:red  by  Hope  of  Plunder,  and  in 
flamed  by  the  zeal  of  Frundsberg,  who  declared  : 

"  When  I  make  my  way  to  Rome,  I  will  hang  Infalli 
ble." 

They  crossed  the  Alps  by  a  wild  pass,  and  marched 
upon  Rome,  twenty  thousand  strong.  At  their  arrival  a 
conflict  ensued  in  which  the  Lutherans  were  victorious, 
and  after  six  thousand  of  the  Romans  lay  dead,  they 
entered  the  city.  Infallible  withdrew  into  the  Castle  of 
St.  Angelo  with  thirteen  cardinals  and  other  principal 
persons.  The  poor  Roman  people  seeing  their  manifest 
destruction,  sought  to  make  peace  with  their  enemies  to 
avoid  the  sack.  But  Infallible  would  by  no  means  allow 
it.  The  Lutherans  poured  in  and  left  neither  house, 
church,  man  or  woman  unsacked.  The  Church  of  St. 
Peter,  both  on  one  side  and  on  the  other,  was  full  of 
horses.  Soldiers  dragged  along  the  streets  nuns  from 
the  monasteries  and  virgins  from  their  fathers'  houses, 
and  from  the  time  the  Lutherans  entered  Rome  until 
they  departed,  not  a  mass  was  said,  nor  was  heard  a  bell 
ring,  nor  a  clock  strike.  Not  a  priest  or  friar  dared 
walk  in  the  street,  else  the  soldiers  would  cry :  A  pope  ! 
A  pope  !  Kill !  Kill !  Rome,  sacked  by  the  Luther 
ans  was  more  barbarously  pillaged  than  it  had  been  one 
thousand  years  before,  by  the  Vandals.  Infallible,  a 
prisoner,  Christiana  ransomed,  and  Lutheranism  crown 
ed,  and  henceforth  Misrule  the  headquarters  of  Christi 
ana  and  the  site  of  law. 

$  For  two  or  three  centuries  more,  the  world  must  bear 
the  Church-law  and  remain  in  serfdom.  Whatever 
Luther  did,  would  have  mattered  little  to  the  world  if  it 
had  dropped  there,  but  it  did  not.  His  follower,  Calvin 


THE   TABLEAU.  151 

was  already  the  new  ecclesiastical  Infallible.  He  and 
his  consistory  held  it  their  duty  to  force  men  to  lead 
lives  after  their  prescription,  go  to  the  Church,  give  up 
vice,  dancing,  swearing,  etc.  Men  were  excommunicated 
for  insulting  Calvin,  and  sent  to  prison  for  mocking  his 
sermons.  To  dare  to  impugn  his  doctrines,  was  banish 
ment.  Hired  spies  watched  people's  conduct,  and  every 
unseemly  word  dropped  came  to  his  ears.  Children  were 
liable  to  public  punishment  for  disobeying  their  parents, 
and  men  and  women  were  drowned  for  sensual  society. 
Witchcraft  and  heresay  were  punished  with  death.  One 
Servetus,  was  burned  for  honest  difference  of  opinion  from 
the  Revengelist  on  a  single  point  of  divinity.  Calvin  being 
a  Frenchman,  removed  the  seat  of  the  new  Church  from 
Germany  into  France,  from-  Misrule  into  Zealotry. 
France  also  being  the  stronghold  of  Infallible  there  was 
a  fair  prospect  for  more  fighting,  and  it  came — in  un 
heard  tyranny  and  horror.  Galvanism  spread,  for  the 
king  was  in  favor  of  the  new  Church,  because  of  a  quarrel 
with  Infallible.  He  left  nothing  undone  to  promote  the 
growth  of  his  pet,  but  he  died  and  the  throne  fell  heir  to 
a  staunch  supporter  of  Infallible,  who  immediately  made 
it  his  thing  to  favor  the  Gods  by  destroying  the  followers 
of  Calvin.  He  slashed,  burned  and  massacred,  in  a  way 
that  cannot  be  recorded.  The  armies  swayed  from 
Zealotry  to  Despotism  and  back  again,  leaving  their 
tracks  covered  with  the  dead,  and  rivers  of  blood  flowing 
through  the  land.  In  England,  in  Germany,  in  Spain, 
in  France,  reigned  terror  because  of  the  Church,  but  in 
France  most.  A  million  men  lost  their  lives.  Nine 
cities,  four  hundred  villages,  two  thousand  churches,  two 
thousand  monasteries  and  ten  thousand  houses  were 
burned  and  destroyed,  besides  many  thousands  of  men, 
women  and  children,  that  were  cruelly  butchered,  all  on 


152  THE    TABLEAU. 

account  of  religion.  Catholics  persecuted  Lutherans, 
Lutherans  Catholics  as  well,  and  worse — they  persecuted 
Calvanists.  So  Calvin  put  Servetus  to  death,  and  tortured 
unbelievers.  So,  the  Church  of  England  prosecuted 
heresay.  So  the  Catholic  government  of  Queen  Mary 
shed  the  blood  of  Calvanists  again.  So,  the  English  Pro 
testant  Church  persecuted  the  Puritans.  So,  finally,  the 
Puritans  fleeing  from  persecution  to  New  England,  put 
people  to  death  for  no  other  thing,  but  that  they  honestly 
preached  doctrines  differing  from  their  own. 

Looking  at  these  facts,  another  fact  certainly  is  estab 
lished.  The  fact  that  the  law  of  the  Church,  the  thing 
called  Christianity,  is  not  a  thing  desirable,  or  able  to 
establish  peace  and  good- will  among  man,  but  war  and 
despotism,  misrule  and  zealotry. 


PROGRESS. 

Part  II. 
CHAPTER    XVI. 

HRISTIANA  had  banished  Reason  and  Humanity 
rejected  Civility  and  Tolerance,  lost  Commor 
Sense  and  Justice,  and  was  berobbed  of  Liberty, 
and  must  reap  her  harvest.  During  all  the  time 
of  horror,  the  rejected  authors  of  peace  and  goodness,  as 
well  as  of  progress,  were  secretly  advancing  into  Science. 
The  revival  of  learning  in  Florence,  shifted  not  only 
Religion,  but  also  art.  The  famous  voaygers,  Marco 
Polo  of  the  East,  and  Columbus  of  the  West,  sojourned 
in  Florence.  These  men  were  quaint  disciples  of  Reason, 
in  points  of  Science,  though  not  in  religion.  Columbus 
particularly,  was  so  firm  an  adherent  to  Reason's  advice, 
as  to  believe  the  world  to  be  round,  and  that  by  sailing 
West,  he  could  reach  the  East  Indies.  He  accordingly 
made  arrangements,  amidst  the  ridicule  of  kings,  as  well 
as  of  peasants,  to  investigate,  and  soon  set  forth  to  brave 
the  unknown,  but  to  discover  a  new  world. 

While  all  the  forces  of  the  Church  were  bent  on  de 
stroying  Reason,  his  very  advice  and  workings,  present 
ed  to  the  world,  America.  After  his  escape  from  the 
fangs  of  Infallible  in  Despotism,  he  was  not  idle.  While 
Humanity  and  Civility  were  safe  in  the  house  of  Eras 
mus,  Reason  secretly  made  many  expeditions.  With 
Nicholas  Copernicus,  he  spent  many  a  pleasant  hour, 
exploring  the  heavens  and  fixing  the  course  of  the 
planets,  their  distances,  dimensions,  and  various  peculi 
arities.  With  historians  and  voyagers  he  employed 


154  THE   TABLEAU. 

himself,  and  inspired  them  to  give  to  the  world  theii 
knowledge  and  adventures,  that  knowledge  might  in 
crease. 

But  when  the  good  desirable  Erasmus  slept,  the  rejected 
workers  of  good  were  forced  to  wander  and  sigh  away 
their  grief.  In  their  wanderings  they  met  with  Bruno 
also  an  outcast  of  the  Church,  and  wandering.  With 
him  they  went  to  London,  and  afterwards  again  tc 
Germany  and  other  countries,  but»they  found  no  resting 
place,  or  any  that  would  entertain  them.  All  was 
Church,  and  all  was  persecution  and  death.  Bruno 
spoke  and  wrote  much  in  defence  of  Reason  and  Human 
ity  and  the  others,  but  to  no  effect,  only  that  in  his 
efforts  to  give  his  comrades  comfort  and  entertainment, 
he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Inquisition  and  was  burned. 
His  strength  vanished,  but  his  work  will  never.  Noble 
Bruno ! 

The  wanderers  fled  into  England,  where  they  were 
taken  up  by  a  band  of  pilgrims,  pilgrims  because  of  their 
wanderings. 

When  the  religion  of  England  had  been  changed  from 
Catholic  to  Protestant,  a  large  number  of  the  people  were 
dissatisfied,  for  though  the  ceremonies  and  forms  were 
changed,  the  persecutions  went  on  in  the  same  old  way, 
and  they  demanded  a  more  thorough  purification.  For 
this  they  were  called  Puritans.  They  still  believed  in  a 
State  Church,  that  is,  the  nation  was  the  Church,  and 
that  Christiana  as  the  head  of  both,  should  also  appoint 
officers  of  both.  They  however  loved  Liberty,  and  de 
sired  that  she  be  allowed  to  go  undisguised  among  the 
people.  The  Government  not  only  refused,  but  punished 
the  Puritans  for  being  dissatisfied  with  the  prescribed 
forms.  This  led  some  of  them  to  question,  who,  and 
what  Christiana  was,  and  where  her  authority  rested. 


THE   TABLEAU.  155 

Reason  led  them  to  believe  that  any  body  of  men,  might 
declare  themselves  a  church,  choose  their  own  officers  and 
be  independent  of  all  external  authority.  Consequently 
they  formed  a  church  of  their  own  and  declared  themselves 
independent,  therefore  they  were  called  Independents. 
But  soon,  because  they  followed  the  advice  of  Reason 
and  took  amongst  themselves  Liberty,  they  were  cruelly 
persecuted,  and  fled  for  Liberty's  sake,  from  place  to 
place,  but  everywhere  the  authorities  of  Christiana 
tortured  mankind,  and  neither  Liberty  nor  the  pilgrims 
were  safe. 

In  London,  the  knights,  Common  Sense  and  Justice, 
met  with  Captain  John  Smith,  also  a  knight,  and  more 
over  a  heretic  and  friend  of  Liberty,  and  while  in  his 
company,  Intelligence  came  from  America,  in  search  of 
a  mate  to  share  his  (America's)  affections — that  he 
might  have  pleasure,  domestic  life  and  increase.  Com 
mon  Sense  and  Justice  thought  of  Liberty,  but  seeing 
the  solicitors  sent  forth  by  England  to  advocate  her 
beauty  and  style,  and  hearing  that  Christiana  had 
already  sailed,  accompanied  by  Infallible  and  inhabi 
tants  of  Misrule  to  apply  herself,  they  were  somewhat 
discouraged  and  went  to  Reason  for  advice. 

"  Go  forth, "  he  said,  "  there  is  none  so  pure  and  none 
so  gentle,  none  so  beautiful  as  Liberty." 

"  Solicit  for  Liberty,  mention  Tolerance  and  Civility. 
You  are  men  of  principle  and  honor,  strength  and  courage, 
and,  moreover,  of  noble  and  winning  form.  America  is 
free  from  partiality  and  hypocricy,  and  you  have  a  fair 
show  to  win  the  race.  Captain  Smith  will  support  you. 
He  is  a  knight  of  Experience  and  not  a  stranger  to  Skill. 
With  him  you  will  have  an  able  companion,  and  I  have 
hope  and  faith  in  success." 

"So  have  I,"  said  Common  Sense,  "and  if  England, 


156  THE   TABLEAU. 

Christiana,  or  any  other  queen  appears  in  her  solicita 
tions  in  disguise  or  impositions,  the  sword  of  Justice  may 
be  well  adapted  to  establish  with  America  our  nobility, 
also  to  rout  the  imposters." 

"Right,  my  brother,"  said  Reason.  "Put  forth  all 
your  strength,  for  you  will  meet  with  representatives 
from  all  nations.  It  will  be  a  battle  of  victory  for  the 
fittest,  and  unless  you  establish  your  fitness,  your  de 
mands  cannot  be  granted.  In  the  Queen  of  England 
you  will  meet  with  opposition  in  wealth  and  power.  In 
Christiana,  with  conspiracy,  dissimulations,  sooth-sayings 
Custom,  and  Fear  of  Gods.  You  will  have  to  rely  wholly 
upon  the  beauty  of  Liberty,  and  on  your  own  nobility 
and  strength.  Take  with  you  the  Golden  Rule  of  Civility 
and  present  it  to  America.  Make  Industry  and  Self- 
Reliance  the  rule  of  fortune,  and  Tolerance  the  governor 
of  Religion  and  law.  If  America  is  of  an  amiable  char 
acter,  you  will  win  a  home  and  protector  for  Liberty — for 
Civility  a  throne,  for  yourselves  fame  and  glory,  and  for 
the  pilgrims  a  field  of  action  to  progress  in  Science. 
Therefore  I  advise  you  to  go  to  America." 

And  so  they  did.  In  company  with  a  number  of  Eng 
lish  adventurers  they  embarked  and  soon  landed  in 
Jamestown.  The  Englishmen,  not  adapted  to  the  wilds 
of  America,  shrank  with  terror,  and  many  perished  ;  but 
knights,  like  the  knights  of  Liberty,  accustomed  to  over 
come  opposition  and  hardships,  soon  converted  the  feat 
ures  of  America  from  their  rugged  bareness  and  wild 
looks  into  prosperous  and  smiling  settlements. 

English  and  Christian  authorities,  everywhere  along 
the  shores,  made  impositions  upon  the  settlers,  and  char 
ters  were  presented,  and  guns  and  powder  employed  to 
enforce  them.**  But  in  spite  of  their  noise  and  oppression. 
Common  Sense  and  Justice  held  their  own.  The  im- 


THE    TABLEAU.  15? 

pression  of  the  settlers,  as  they  increased,  became  more 
and  more  visible,  and  accordingly  the  habit  of  Self-Reli- 
ance,  both  individually  and  in  the  colony,  and  the  name 
of  Liberty  became  a  popular  theme.  After  twelve  years' 
ratification,  Governor  Yeardley  was  led  to  believe  that 
the  settlers  should  have  "  a  hand  in  the  government  of 
their  affairs,"  and  called  together  an  assembly,  consisting 
of  himself  as  the  governor,  and  a  counsel  of  deputies 
chosen  from  the  various  plantations.  In  this  assembly 
Common  Sense  and  Justice  for  once  were  victorious. 
The  affections  introduced  by  the  solicitors  of  English 
blood  and  Christian  sooth-saying,  were  wholly  discarded 
by  America,  and  affections  won  for  Liberty.  Immediately 
arrangements  for  her  receptions  were  made. 

The  good  Pilgrims  waited  anxiously  for  Intelligence. 
Reason  had  been  their  true  friend  in  times  of  need  and 
danger,  providing  them  with  food  and  interpretations  of 
the  law,  and  with  means  to  escape  from  their  enemies. 
At  last,  it  was  on  the  last  day  of  harvest,  the  day  when 
the  last  load  is  driven  home  adorned  according  to  the 
country  custom,  with  flags  and  ribbons,  and  perched  on 
top  a  bundle-baby.  They  were  in  the  middle  of  the 
feast,  and  passing  the  Black  Jack  its  rounds,  when  Clat 
tering  Hoofs  announced  the  approach  of  a  rider.  Reason 
went  out,  and  all  the  rest  followed,  and  the  handsome 
Intelligence,  with  his  face  so  full  of  joy  that  they  all 
knew  he  had  good  news  to  tell,  rode  into  the  midst  of 
them. 

"  Good  news  for  Liberty,"  he  cried  unto  Reason.  "  Rare 
news,  Sexton."  Here  he  threw  himself  from  his  horse 
and  tossed  the  reins  to  a  "  hand." 

"I  come  from  London  and  am  carrying  news  to  Liberty. 
Up  men,  shout  for  Liberty,  toss  your  caps  and  drink 
her  health,  and  confusion  to  her  enemies  !" 


158  TI1K   TABLEAU. 

The  good  harvesters  needed  no  second  invitation.  With 
one  consent  their  voices  rang  in  the  atmosphere.  They 
threw  their  caps  and  shouted,  while  Sexton,  who  had  in 
bis  grasp  Black  Jack,  passed  the  drinks,  both  drinking 
and  shouting  being  much  to  his  taste.  After  the  round, 
Intelligence  began  the  story. 

"I  come  from  London,"  he  said.  " Whither  the  news 
has  been  brought  by  Captain  Smith,  ex-Governor  of 
Jamestown,  of  the  ship  Welcome,  from  America,  laden 
with  tobacco  and  other  goods." 

"With  tobacco?"  Exclaimed  Sexton,  shaking  his 
head. 

"  He  reports,  that  the  day  before  they  weighed  anchor, 
there  had  been  an  assembly  called  by  the  new  governor, 
and  under  the  very  nose  of  English  authorities  and 
Christiana,  America  adopted  the  Golden  Rule  of  Civility, 
revered  Tolerance,  and  proposed  for  Liberty." 

"  That  is  good  news,"  said  Reason.  "  The  Golden  Rule 
will  prepare  America  for  the  reception  and  entertainment 
of  Liberty,  and  the  proposition  has  cut  the  right  hand  off 
Christiana  and  the  left  hand  off  England." 

"  But  the  Church  should  be  recognized,  the  Church 
must  lead  and  glorify  America,"  said  Sexton. 

"  Go  on,  Intelligence,"  demanded  Reason.  "  Is  there 
more?  A  proposition  is  no  guarantee  for  a  home  and 
happiness.  There  must  be  resources." 

"  That  there  are,"  replied  Intelligence.  "  One  hundred 
and  forty  miles  on  both  sides  of  the  James  are  bedecked 
with  plantations  and  villages,  most  beautiful  to  behold 
and  immensely  productive.  Moreover,  Captain  Smith 
has  examined  the  coast  from  Penobscot,  as  he  says,  to 
Cape  Cod,  and  calls  the  region  New  England.  He  gives 
glowing  accounts  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  goodness 
of  the  climate,  and  gold  and  silver  has  been  discovered." 


THE   TABLEAU.  159 

"  That  is  brave  news  indeed,"  said  Reason. 

"It  is  brave  news,  brave  news,"  responded  Sexton, 
"  but  I  would  have  rather  heard  that  America  had  adopted 
the  law  of  Christiana — in  Christ  is  the  only  rock  and  peace 
to  be  found,  but  the  discovery  of  gold  and  silver,  I  grant 
is  brave  news." 

"They  are  everywhere  preparing  to  receive  favors  of 
America  to  meet  with  Liberty  and  enjoy  their  blessings." 

"  Why  ?"  said  Reason,  "  I  doubt  that  there  could  be 
found  a  single  village  in  all  the  world  but  what  will  re 
joice  at  this  news.  By  this  act  of  America  I  doubt  not, 
that  Despotism,  Misrule,  Zealotry,  the*strongholds  of 
Christiana,  together  with  England,  has  received  a  shock 
from  which  they  will  never  recover.  Undoubtedly  they 
will  arise  against  us  and  will  cause  trouble  and  bloodshed, 
but  with  America  on  our  side,  what  can  they  do?$  Will 
he,  after  once  beholding  Liberty  turn  away  from  her,  or 
will  Christiana  by  disguise  and  soothsaying  again  usurp 
the  smiles  of  Liberty  or  will  England  make  him  a  slave 
by  power?  Nay!  There  may  be  trouble,  but  Liberty 
must  live  and  shall.  The  sooner  we  enter  this  new  field, 
the  better  for  success,  for  Liberty's  beauty  must  charm 
America,  and  her  affections  must  win  him.  Let  us  not 
forget  however,  that  though  Christiana  and  England  may 
be  overcome,  Ignorance  still  lives.  Therefore  we  have 
an  enemy,  who,  until  he  himself  be  overthrown,  will  not 
cease  to  conspire  against  us." 

"Yet,  sir,"  said  Sexton  with  submission,  "one  fears 
Ignorance  less  than  the  powers  of  Despotism,  Misrule 
and  Zealotry.  Ignoranee  is  but  a  natural  evil." 

"  The  root  of  evil,"  answered  Reason.  "  Therefore,  fear 
him  the  more." 

Then  the  harvesters  talked,  the  wanderers  rejoiced 
and  Sexton  praised  the  Lord  for  this  signal  of  Mercy, 


ICO  THE    TABLEAU. 

and  for  a  time,  even  Sexton  forgot  his  fearful  things,  and 
embraced  in  his  mind  the  resources  of  America.  Yet 
afterwards,  when  he  had  come  too,  he  remembered  the 
many  warnings  of  evil,  which  should  have  shaken  his 
confidence.  Although  under  the  new  interpretations  of 
Keason,  they  were  taught  not  to  heed  such  warnings — 
yet  it  is  hard  to  forget  such  fearful  things  so  quickly,  but 
certain  it  is,  that  all  autumn  he  saw  shooting  stars,  and 
at  that  very  moment  a  comet  hovered  in  the  sky.  There 
was  a  sun  eclipse,  and  the  moon  was  of  a  bloody  hue  in 
September,  the  screech  owl  screeched  at  the  window,  the 
raven  croaked",  the  pie  chattered,  and  the  dog  howled. 
He  saw  a  hare  and  snake  cross  the  road,  heard  the  death 
watch,  broke  a  looking  glass  and  missed  Black  Jack's 
neck,  had  fearful  dreams,  and  heard  strange  sounds  at 
night.  All  this  was  surely  not  for  nothing,  and  he  hesi 
tated  to  embark.  Keason,  however,  overcame  this  obstacle 
and  presently  they  were  sailing  for  America.  :><-' 


AMERICA. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

T  the  palace  of  America  was  a  great  feast,  and  all 
was  happiness.  The  ship  Good  Intent  had  ar 
rived,  and  Liberty  was  to  be  made  Mistress  of 
the  Palace.  The  authorities  of  England,  though 
opposed,  but  because  of  the  sacred  event,  and  dignity 
of  America,  were  graciously  beneficent  on  that  day,  and 
the  ceremonies  were  conducted  with  no  disturbance. 
America,  accompanied  by  Common  Sense  and  Justice, 
received  the  new  comers  with  gladness.  The  strong 
nature  of  America  gave  every  evidence  of  his  joy 
at  the  safe  arrival  of  his  betrothed.  Her  rare  beauty  and 
gentleness  immediately  impressed  him  deeply,  and  he 
revered  her  as  well  as  loved  her.  A  shout  arose  when 
they  left  the  seashore  for  the  Palace. 

"Ah!  All  is  well,"  said  Sexton.  "And  we  are  free. 
Now  Liberty  may  hold  up  her  head  before  all  the  world, 
undisguised  and  undismayed." 

It  was  a  pleasant  walk.  The  people  seemed  so  happy, 
save  those  who  had  lost  loved  ones  by  cruel  invaders. 
Reason  and  Humanity  were  greeted  by  many  with  omiles 
and  well  wishes.  The  romantic  story  of  their  happy  es 
cape  from  Despotism  was  known  to  all  the  world,  and 
many  recognized  in  Civility  the  courageful  woman  of 
their  deliverance.  So  the  announcement  of  their  approach 
passed  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  many  gathered  at  the 
corners  to  bid  them  welcome.  Liberty  bowed  with  sim 
ple  dignity,  but  Civility  smiled,  and  when  old  time 


K 


162  THE    TABLEAU. 

> 

acquaintances  grasped  her  hand  and  bade  her  peace  and 
joy,  her  heart  was  glad  and  she  felt  at  home  again. 

America  was  a  splendid  specimen  of  nation  formers, 
belonging  to  the  tribe  of  Moses,  Jeroboam,  and  Augustus, 
tall  in  stature,  fair  complected,  and  a  fascinating  smile 
on  his  face.  He  would  have  attracted  attention  in  any 
world,  or  in  any  community  of  worlds.  Their  progress 
was  a  continual  ovation,  the  women  and  maids  occasion 
ally  throwing  flowers  in  the  path  and  little  green  boughs. 

Christiana  coming  from  the  market  place  disguised 
in  maidenhood,  caught  sight  of  them.  Her  face  flushed 
and  she  ran  swiftly  until  she  stood  by  Liberty's  side. 

"Aha!  An  escaped  convict  from  Despotism,  so  white 
and  beautiful?  I  suspected  a  mystery!  Art,  art  though 
a  princess? "  she  asked  shyly. 

"  I  am  naught  but  what  thou  seest,"  she  replied,  turn 
ing  away. 

But  Christiana  walked  along  with  the  ciowd  (copying 
Liberty's  apparel  for  disguise).  Then  for  excuse's  sake 
she  begged  a  basket  of  flowers  from  a  neighbor  and 
spilled  them  in  the  path,  regretting  afterwards  for  not 
selling  them  for  "the  cause."  At  length  the  Palace  was 
reached.  It  was  a  plain  but  delightful  spot.  The  streets 
were  wider  and  the  houses  further  apart  than  the  wan 
derers  had  ever  beheld.  At  the  door  stood  Uncle  Tom 
and  'Liza,  and  from  behind  an  ambush  of  willows, 
glanced  the  face  of  the  red  man.  As  they  entered  the 
people  shouted:  "  Long  live  America."  And  Uncle  Tom 
said:  "  Peace  be  with  us  all."  "And  the  blessings  of 
Liberty  come  upon  us,"  responded  'Liza.  Then  the  feast 
began,  and  afterwards  the  music  and  the  singers;  the 
dancers  and  the  artists,  and  so  amusements  followed 
close  upon  each  other  until  the  stars  grew  dim. 

The  association  of  America  and  Liberty  was  blessed 


THE    TABLEAU.  163 

with  additions — lovely  in  face  and  gentle  in  disposition. 
It  was  a  pleasant  sight  to  see  the  six  bright  maidens  and 
the  seven  sturdy  lads,  with  their  handsome  American 
features  and  liberal  manners.  Civility  lived  her  youth 
over  again  amongst  them,  and  Tolerance  continually 
taught  them  nobleness.  But  like  it  was  foretold  by 
Reason,  trouble  came.  Happiness  was  many  times 
wounded,  and  all  of  them  must  bear  the  afflictions  of 
Sorrow's  prison  house.  Hunger,  cold,  nakedness,  insult, 
abuse  and  robbery. 

Ignorance  and  his  aliens  caused  many  tears  to  be  shed 
and  sometimes  blood.  England's  jealousy  marred  Amer 
ica's  progress,  wounded  Liberty,  ignored  Reason  and  Hu 
manity,  abused  Justice  and  disfigured  Common  Sense 
Tolerance  and  Civility,  and  endeavoured  to  enslave  Amer 
ica's  household.  Christiana  also  inflicted  many  wounds 
on  Tolerance,  and  abused  Civility,  made  Humanity  weep 
and  Reason  angry,  but  in  spite  of  all,  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  liberty,  developed  in  stature,  wisdom  and 
prosperity.  Self  reliance  and  Industry  were  their  living, 
Common  Sense  and  Justice  their  protection,  Reason  their 
guide,  and  Tolerance  their  religion.  The  Golden  Rule  of 
Civility  was  their  law.  and  America  their  home.  For  a 
while  Liberty  felt  secure,  she  felt  that  she  had  become 
allied  to  the  most  fair  natured  and  wealthiest  prince  of 
the  world.  Again  the  surroundings,  under  the  instruc 
tions  of  Reason  and  law  of  Civility,  assumed  the  aspect 
of  the  reign  of  Agustus. 

^From  all  nations  the  lovers  of  Liberty  sought  the 
shores  of  America,  that  they  might  live  to  their  heart's 
desire  under  their  own  fig  tree.  Merchants  came 
from  aboard  to  exchange  their  spices,  silks  and  jewelry 
for  America's  products.  Skilful  workers  in  all  kinds  of 
wood,  iron,  stone,  glass  and  painting,  furnished  luxuries 


164  THE    TABLEAU. 

and  comforts.  So  the  fairs  and  markets  were  bright  and 
beautiful.  The  voice  of  joy  was  heard,  and  happy  bridal 
processions,  feasting  and  dancing,  made  glad  the  people. 
America  became  a  scholar  of  Reason,  where,  besides 
being  taught  the  necessity  of  Civility  and  Tolerance,  he 
was  instructed  in  the  customs  of  all  the  world,  and  made 
acquainted  with  improvements,  revolutions  and  evolu 
tions.  He  was  led  into  the  secrets  of  invention,  art  and 
roots  of  progress.  He  was  initiated  in  all  the  forms  of 
learning  that  had  been  gradually  introduced  by  his  inter 
course  with  friendly  ancients.  Humanity  was  happy, 
she  was  a  most  hospitable  hostess  and  her  house  was  fre 
quented  by  the  learned  and  wise,  and  also  those  who 
secretly  believed  in  Reason — these  were  doubly  welcomed 
and  encouraged  to  stand  firm,  and  not  be  afraid  to 
confess  their  honest  convictions.  Society  was  a  beloved 
guest,  and  each  visit  was  more  prized  than  the  one  before. 
So  much  was  she  impressed  by  Humanity  that  she  dis 
carded  the  mysteries  and  gameplaying  of  Christiana,  and 
adopted  the  simpler  and  more  beneficent  ways  and 
advices  of  Reason  and  Humanity.  Civility  and  Toler 
ance  held  the  peace  of  the  Palace,  and  America  ascended 
each  day  towards  the  heights  of  Science,  and  Liberty  was 
as  devout  as  he,  never  failing  to  meet  or  accompany  him, 
and  they  grew  in  tender  love  as  one  heart.  Many  times 
they  cheered  poor  refugees,  who  were  cast  out  and  ban 
ished,  or  had  escaped  from  torture,  by  giving  them  shelter 
and  protection.  Infallible  was  so  wicked  and  England 
so  cruel,  and  the  Church  so  hateful,  that  it  often  made 
Liberty  sad.  "  Oh!  If  these  princes  of  Ignorance  and 
Despotism  would  only  accept  the  instructions  of  Reason, 
the  world  might  at  once  be  made  cheerful,  but  they  are 
so  in  the  net  of  evil,  and  swayed  by  superstition,  fear  oj 


THE    TABLEAU. 

Gods,  vile  ambitious,  back  and  forth  like  a  reed  by  th* 
wind." 

The  shaking  increased  and  broke  the  reed,  and  rum 
came  trouble.  England's  ambition  was  after  Amer 
ica's  wealth,  and  began  to  treat  the  Americans  as  slaves. 
Her  intentions  were  to  make  and  keep  them  dependent. 
She  framed  laws  without  the  consent  of  America,  and 
enforced  them  by  armed  warriors.  Exhorbitant  taxes 
were  levied,  officers  refused  to  go  out  of  office  when  voted 
down  by  the  people,  fixed  their  own  salaries,  restricted 
the  right  of  voting  to  freeholders  and  aristocrats,  and 
imposed  upon  church  people  fines  and  punishments  for 
absence  from  worship  in  the  English  church.  Two  par 
ties  gradually  sprang  up,  the  aristocratic  and  the  Liberty- 
loving.  In  the  enforcement  of  the  laws,  Justice  was  dis 
carded  and  Common  Sense  abused.  Tolerance  long  held 
the  Americans  from  rebellion,  but  the  imposition  became 
more  and  more  oppressive.  Liberty  had  to  take  refuge 
in  secret  chambers,  and  the  Palace  was  guarded  by  Brit 
ish  soldiers.  An  attempt  was  made  to  tax  the  Americans 
in  order  to  defray  the  expense  of  a  recent  war.  This  un 
did  Tolerance,  and  Reason  declared  it  tyranny.  Soon 
new  duties  were  laid  upon  the  people.  The  day  appointed 
for  a  certain  law  to  go  into  effect  was  observed  as  a  day 
of  mourning.  Bells  were  tolled,  flags  raised  half-mast, 
and  business  suspended.  At  last  a  board  of  trade  was 
established  overruling  all  American  affairs.  Anticipating 
apposition,  troops  were  sent  forth  to  enforce  the  laws  and 
the  people  were  requested  to  pro-vide  the  soldiers  with 
quarters  and  supplies.  This  evident  attempt  to  enslave 
the  Americans  aroused  burning  indignation.  Thomas 
Payne  in  company  with  Common  Sense  and  Justice,  by 
their  stirring  and  Reasonable  speeches  ripened  thft  Amer 
icans  to  demand  their  rights.  Th«n  o*it»e  the  Boston 


166  THE   TABLEAU. 

massacre  and  Justice  declared  war.  England  learning 
of  the  preparation  at  Concord,  ordered  troops  to  destroy 
them,  but  the  Americans  were  on  the  alert  and  the  sold 
iers  were  met  by  a  company  of  "  Minute  Men."  Riding 
up  to  them  the  English  leader  shouted  "  Disperse,  you 
rebels,  lay  down  your  arms!" 

But  they  said:     "We  will  save  Liberty  or  die." 

A  skirmish  ensued,  and  seven  Americans  fell — the  first 
martyrs  of  the  Revolution  were  killed. 

The  news  that  American  blood  had  been  spilled  flew 
like  wild  fire.  The  whole  region  flew  to  arms.  Every 
boy  old  enough  to  carry  a  rifle  hastened  to  avenge  the 
death  of  his  countrymen.  From  behind  trees,  buildings, 
and  rocks,  in  front,  flank  and  rear,  so  galling  a  fire  was 
poured  upon  the  murderers,  that  but  for  reinforcements, 
none  of  the  British  would  have  escaped  alive. 

Soon  twenty  thousand  men  were  at  work  building  in- 
trenchments  to  shut  up  the  British  in  Boston. 

Congresses  were  formed,  committees  of  safety  appointed 
for  emergencies,  and  a  Declaration  of  Independence 
proclaimed. 

Then  followed  a  period  of  war  and  distress.  With  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill  it  began,  and  with  the  seige  of 
Yorktown  it  ended — the  Americans  victorious. 

The  surrender  of  the  Brittons  was  a  most  imposing 
scene.  The  American  armies  were  drawn  in  two  lines, 
extending  over  a  mile.  The  captive  Brittons,  with  shoul 
dered  arms,  slow  step,  and  trailing  colors,  marched 
between  them.  A  great  crowd  had  gathered  to  see  the 
defeated  Cornwallis,  but  the  haughty  General  feigned 
sickness  and  sent  his  sword  by  another.  Joy  prevailed 
in  every  American  heart.  All  the  hardships  of  the  past 
were  forgotten  in  the  thought  that  America  was  free. 
The  news  reached  the  Palace  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morn- 


THE    TABLEAU.  167 

ing.  The  people  were  awakened  by  the  watchman's  cry: 
:i  Past  two  o'clock,  Gornwallis  is  taken."  Lights  imme 
diately  flashed  at  every  window,  and  soon  the  in  and  out 
were  alert,  eager  to  learn  the  glad  tidings.  Some  were 
speechless  with  delight — many  wept  and  the  old  door 
keeper  died  with  joy.  Peace  was  declared,  and  soon  the 
army  disbanded,  Washington  bade  his  officers  an 
affectionate  farewell,  and  retired  amidst  thejthanks  of  a 
grateful  people. 


SCIENCE. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

>HE  Revolutionary  War  was  a  war  of  Reason  fol 
Liberty.      With   it  fell  the   last   great  barrier, 
"Monarchy,"  from  the  field  of  Science.     All  was 
now  open  for  free  entrance  to  bring  forth  the  new 
and  improve  the  old.     Nor  was  this  privilege  left  to  pass, 
but  with  vigor  Reason  set  himself  about  to  build  the  new 
government  and  establish  peace  and  commerce.     The  sit 
uation  of  the  Union  at  this  time  was  perilous.     Agricul 
ture,  trade  and  manufacturing  had  been  neglected,  vil 
lages  had  been  burned,  ships  destroyed,  and   commerce 
wholly  usurped.     Many  agreements  and  contracts  were 
made  regarding  a  government,  but  the  opinions  were  so 
divided  that  bitter  jealousy  sprang  up  between  the  part 
ies.     Perhaps  the  worst  effect  of   the  conquest  of  the 
Americans  was,  to  inspire  them  individually  as  they  were 
nationally  inspired — each  endeavoring  to  secure  a  preem 
inence  over  the  other.    Under  these  circumstances,  Reason 
felt  the  need  of  a  stronger  and  new  form  of  government, 
and  consequently  while  Congress  was  in  session,  a  new 
constitution  was  inspired,  adopted,  put  in  operation,  and 
proved  to  be  adapted  to  the  wants  of  America.     It  as 
sumed  that  neither  head  nor  foot  could  govern,  but  that 
it  required  the  impulse  of  the  wKole.     The  law  of  the 
universe   became   the   order   of  government,  the  organ, 
governs  the  organ,  be  it  a  man,  nation  or  universe.     All 
supernatural  speculation  and  inspiration  was  left  out,  and 
Reason   alone    was   author.     By   the    adoption   of  this 
godless    form    of    government,    his    authority    became 


THE    TABLEAU. 

established  before  all  the  world.  He  now  not  only  had  in 
dividual  protectors,  but  an  individual  of  ten  thousand 
ordinary  individuals  who  were  anxious  to  enter  into 
Science.  All  markets  were  now  open.  This  made  his 
"heart  glad  and  Humanity  was  full  of  joy.  America 
again  beheld  his  household  in  peace,  though  many 
wounds  were  yet  to  heal.  The  former  employments  were 
again  taken  up,  the  villages  built,  agriculture  and  com 
merce  quickened,  and  the  markets  re-established.  The 
haughty  and  cruel  English  oppressors  were  banished,  and 
Civility  and  Liberty  with  their  gentle  dispositions  were 
again  in  office,  and  smiled  upon  the  people.  Hope  and 
satisfaction  lighted  up  their  countenances  and  the 
wounds  of  the  war  were  soon  forgotten. 


The  market  place  was  crowded,  for  there  one  could 
hear  all  the  news  and  gossip.  The  long  vacated  stalls 
were  again  arrayed  in  their  proper  array.  Reason  and 
Humanity  were  there  in  disguise,  Reason  with  a  bundle 
of  papers  and  Humanity  with  a  basket  of  fruit.  The 
other  venders  stared  at  them  sometime  in  silence. 
They  were  strangers  and  excited  curiosity  by  their  digni 
fied  bearing,  but  soon  they  began  to  ply  them  with  all 
sorts  of  questions.  Reason  said  little,  but  Humanity 
spoke  freely.  Near  them  at  a  pillar  stood  a  man  with 
marked  religious  features.  He  was  poorly  clad,  with 
here  and  there  little  attempts  of  neatness — patches  on 
the  knees  and  his  hair  combed  straight  up  and  down. 
Every  now  and  then  he  would  call  in  a  loud  voice,  "  Ho! 
Ho!  All  ye  that  are  thirsty  come  unto  me  and  take  both 
milk  and  wine  without  money  and  without  price!  "  Be 
ing  that  the  day  was  hot,  many  came  to  accept  of  the 
beneficent  invitation,  but  when  they  came  he  offered  in 
a  low  voice,  " Tracts!  Tracts!  A  penny  a  piece!"  He 


170  THE   TABLEAU. 

had  been  looking  at  Humanity  with  undisguised  admira 
tion  and  listening  to  her  every  word.  At  length  he  said: 
"  Will  it  please  to  tell  us  thy  name?  " 

Humanity  was  surprised.  "  Nay!  It  cannot  profit  thee 
to  know.  We  are  but  wayfarers."  Just  then  a  richly 
dressed  lady  came  up,  and  with  her  a  slave.  Humanity 
started.  The  man  at  the  pillar  saw  it  and  asked:  "Dost 
thou  know  her?"  Humanity  answered  not  but  gazed 
after  them.  Meanwhile,  Reason  had  sold  all  his  papers, 
the  people  were  glad  to  learn  the  news.  He  took  some 
of  Humanity's  fruit.  "  I  did  not  think,  I  don't  under 
stand  the  money  or  what  to  ask."  Reason  smiled  and 
whispered,  "we  do  not  need  the  money,  sell  them  cheap 
to  the  poor,  two  for  a  penny." 

"  Nay,  that  is  not  enough,"  said  the  man  at  the  pillar 
hearing  the  last  words,  "  I  will  give  thee  more.  I  am  an 
Evangelist  in  the  service  of  Christiana." 

"Hast  thou  not  sufficient  salary?"  asked  Reason. 

"  I  have  none  but  what  the  good  God  gives  me." 

"Poor  man,  give  him  all,"  said  Humanity,  but  Reason 
touched  her  arm  and  gave  him  some  for  an  offering  to 
Christiana." 

"  Thou  art  very  kind,  the  Lord  bless  you.  In  this 
reign  of  Civility,  with  that  godless  counselor  Reason  in 
office — we  get  not  the  good  things  that  we  did  in  the 
blessed  reign  of  Christiana." 

"Art  thou  a  Lutheran  or  Calvinist  ?"  asked  Reason 
sadly. 

"  I  do  not  call  myself  so,  but  I  worship  the  true  God 
who  helps  those  that  love  him.  Yea,  destroys  those  who 
would  dispoil  his  cause  on  earth." 

Humanity's  brow  clouded. 

"  Nay,  look  not  so  sad,  good  people,  turn  to  the  Lord 
and  be  saved."  Then  he  offered  a  testament,  but  Reason 


THE    TABLEAU.  171 

put  his  hand  away  without  a  word.  At  that  moment  the 
lady  with  the  slave  returned.  She  stopped  to  look  at  the 
Evangelist's  ware  and  smiled  upon  him.  The  slave 
looked  about  and  recognized  Reason  and  Humanity  .She 
gave  a  cry  of  joy,  but  Reason  gave  her  a  warning  look. 
"Aha!"  said  the  lady,  "what  mystery  is  this,  and  who 
are  the  strangers?" 

"Wilt  buy  some  fruit,  young  maiden  ?"  said  Reason, 
giving  her  another  warning  look.  "  They  are  fine  apples, 
fresh  off  the  tree  this  morning,  see  how  beautiful  they  are. 
They  would  do  honor  to  your  Queen's  table." 

"  That  they  would,"  said  the  lady  smiling,  "  How  do 
you  sell  them?" 

"  Two  pennies  a  piece." 

"Take  them  all,  slave!" 

Humanity  emptied  them  into  her  basket  and  was 
handed  a  coin,  which  she  gave  to  Reason. 

"Aha!"  said  the  tract  man,  "the  fruit  has  suddenly 
raised  in  value." 

Reason  returned  the  coin,  the  lady  frowned. 

"My  queen,"  said  the  slave,  "let  us  go,"  and  with  a 
sign  to  Humanity  she  passed  on. 

The  man  at  the  pillar  had  closed  his  audience  and  was 
counting  his  money. 

"  One,  two,  three,  only  ten  pennies  and  a  farthing. 
Christiana  will  be  unpleasant  for  not  bringing  more 
again.  Ah!  but  this  fine  fruit.  I  will  try  it.  I  cannot 
make  the  people  buy.  The  Lord  must  do  the  work.  Oh? 
why  is  she  so  stern?  "  So  thinking  he  went  homewards 
to  fishertown  for  Christiana  lived  amidst  the  fishers  and 
sailors.  Christiana  awaited  him,  and  when  she  saw  the 
fullness  of  his  sack,  she  cried,  "Thou  slothful  and  slug 
gish  servant.  Why  dost  thou  return  with  these  unsold?3' 

"  Nay,  my  queen,  have  mercy.  See  what  a  stranger 
hath  sent  thee." 


172  THE   TABLEAU. 

She  counted  the  money.  "One,  two,  three,  only  ten 
pennies  and  a  farthing.  Glutton,  thou  hast  bought  the 
fruit  for  thine  own  dainty  appetite.  Thou  stolest  the 
money  and  to  cover  thy  theft,  thou  dost  tell  me  the  light 
story  of  a  stranger's  gift." 

"  No,  no,  my  queen,  it  is  true.  I  swear  so  by  the  holy 
saints." 

"  That  is  a  light  oath  to  one  that  is  more  than  a  saint." 

"  Yet  it  is  true.  She  was  a  young  woman,  but  oh,  so 
beautiful,  and  had  the  dignity  of  a  queen." 

"  Selling  fruit  with  queenly  dignity,  eh  ?  Come,  come, 
weigh  thy  words." 

"  They  were  strangers,  so  I  spoke  kindly  to  them,  was 
that  not  meek?" 

"  But  the  fruit,  the  fruit,"  she  said  impatiently. 

"  I  heard  the  man  say  to  sell  it  cheap  to  the  poor,  two 
for  a  penny.  So  I  offered  to  take  it  all,  for  I  could  sell  it 
again,  but  when  I  said  I  was  an  Evangelist,  the  woman 
was  about  to  give  them  all  to  me,  but  her  companion 
touched  her  arm,  and  he  sent  these  to  you  for  an  offering. 
Soon  an  elegant  lady  with  a  slave  came  along  and  bought 
what  was  left.  The  slave  and  the  man  exchanged 
glanecs  and  he  gave  back  the  slave  the  coin." 

"Aha  !  spies.  I'll  to  the  court  and  have  them  ar 
rested!" 

The  Evangelist  became  sad. 

"Ah!  Me,  see  the  fruit.     Is  it  not  of  our  own  tree?" 

Quickly  she  went  and  brought  forth  a  sample. 

"  'Tis  the  same.  Impious  thieves,  stole  it  from  Chris 
tiana  and  are  selling  it.  I'll  away  to  the  court." 

The  Evangelist  wrung  his  hands.  ''Forgive  those  that 
trespass  against  you,"  he  said.  "  Should  it  not  be  true, 
thou  shouldst  have  innocent  blood  on  thy  hand.  Wait 
till  they  come  again  and  I  will  watch." 


THE   TABLEAU.  173 

"Aye,  aye,  learn  what  thou  canat.  Society,  come  quick, 
bake  this  fruit  that  we  may  eat." 

Society  soon  had  the  meal  ready  and  called  her  mis 
tress  and  master.  Trinity  (for  that  was  the  Evangelist's 
name)  smacked  his  lips  and  Christiana  said:  "Thou 
needst  not  frighten  the  people,  the  fruit  is  good,  perchance 
they  may  send  more." 

That  night,  Reason  and  Humanity  were  disturbed  by 

a  slight  knocking  at  their  door.     On  opening  they  found 

Society  with  tearful  eyes,  sobbing,  and  begging  to  be  let  in. 

"Come  in,  my  darling,"  said  Reason,  "what  is  it  that 

makes  you  so  sad  ?" 

"Oh  the  queen,  the  queen  is  so  cruel.  Because  of  our 
meeting  to-day  in  the  market,  she  suspicions  a  mystery, 
and  when  Trinity  eame  home  he  said  that  the  slave  had 
exchanged  glances.  I  was  the  slave,  you  know,  and 
Christiana  wanted  me  to  betray  you,  but  I  woul<£  not, 
but  she  abused  me  so,  and  I  did.  Oh  the  pain!  Oh  what 
shall  I  do  ?  I  must  not  stay  for  she  will  miss  me  and 
hurt  me  more.  Perhaps  burn  me  as  she  has  done  to 
others." 

"  Stay  with  us,"  said  Humanity. 

"No!  No!  The  Gods  will  see  me,  and  oh  the  hell,  the 
fire!" 

"Poor  child!" 

"  Christiana  makes  Trintiy  believe  you  stole  the  fruit 
from  her,  and  he  is  going  to  watch  you,  and  I  have  be 
trayed  you.  Oh  what  shall  I  do?  " 

"Peace,  my  child,  we  are  safe  and  Christiana  can 
trouble  us  no  more.  Go  back  if  you  cannot  stay.  Say 
nothing  to  anyone.  I  am  certain  Christiana  will  not 
trouble  us." 

Society  burst  afresh  into  tears  and  departed. 


174  THE   TABLEAU. 

"  The  poor,  poor  child  is  so  abused,  so  unhappy,  yet 
dares  not  to  leave  her  sorrow  for  fear  of  Gods  and  the 
fire.  How  long,  how  long,  must  we  yet  see  the  victims 
of  Christiana  and  Gods?  " 

Next  day  Reason  and  Humanity  were  again  in  the 
market.  Trinity  was  there  with  his  tracts,  and  close  by 
him  stood  Society  with  a  basket  of  flowers.  Trinity 
sold  few  tracts  for  his  eye  continually  rested  on  Reason. 
He  was  jealous.  Reason  had  with  him  papers,  books  and 
prescriptions  for  all  kinds  of  improvements.  Humanity 
had  her  fruit  and  some  other  little  things,  soap  and  salve, 
which  she  offered  for  sale. 

"  Fruit  for  life,  soap  for  purity,  salve  for  salvation,  two 
for  a  penny,  of  each."  She  had  no  trouble  in  selling  her 
ware. 

"  I  hear  your  fruit  is  cheap,"  said  a  woman  wearing  a 
fine  garment. 

"To  the  poor,  two  for  a  penny;  to  the  rich  a  penny  a 
piece." 

"  Oh!  Thou  hast  two  prices." 

"  The  poor  need  all  pity  and  advantage,  let  it  abide  for 
them." 

"  Oh!  Thou  art  a  wise  teacher,"  she  said  scornfully  and 
passed  on. 

Humanity  looked  after  her  and  thought:  "  Do  not  all 
pity  and  help  the  poor  ?  " 

An  old  lame  man  with  his  frame  resting  on  a  staff, 
stopped  before  her,  but  said  nothing. 

"Wilt  have  some  fruit,  my  father?"  she  said,  putting 
some  in  his  basket. 

"  Thanks,  good  lady,  and  praise  be  to  Humanity  who 
hath  put  it  in  thy  heart  to  be  good  to  the  poor." 

"Dost  love  her?"  she  asked  smilingly.  "Come  again 
tomorrow  and  have  more." 


THE    TABLEAU.  175 

"  I  have  found  a  friend,  glad  am  I."  So  saying  he 
went  his  way. 

Reason  offered  his  books: 

"  Primers,  Spellers,  Arithmetics,  Geographies  and  His 
tories.  Prescriptions  for  improvements  in  agriculture 
and  household,  art  and  commerce,  mining  and  military.'1 
Thus  he  benefited  the  people  with  inventions  and  learning. 
Next  day  he  announced:  "  Plans  for  a  steam  engine." 
Trinity  frowned.  "  He  is  mad,"  cried  some.  u  Now  what 
do  you  think  of  that  brawler?"  said  a  woman  that  sold 
garlic,  to  Trinity. 

"  I  have  no  time  to  listen  to  every  one  that  comes  along. 
Have  a  tract  and  turn  to  the  Lord."  She  bought  one, 
laughed  and  dropped  it  on  the  road. 

Humanity  had  on  a  new  dress  and  none  would  go  near 
her  for  the  cut  was  of  a  new  style,  and  she  hardly  sold 
anything  all  day. 

Society  had  come  over  for  the  first  time  since  she  was 
in  the  market.  She  said  she  wished  she  could  sell  fruit 
and  help  the  poor.  "  These  flowers  none  will  buy  and 
Christiana  forever  scolds  me  for  not  bringing  more 
gain." 

"What  flowers  hast  thou?  Let  see?  Nay,  none  will 
buy  thorns  and  unpleasant  smelling  shrubbery  which 
Christiana  likes.  Come  to  our  house  tonight  and  I  will 
give  thee  fruit  to  sell." 

"Nay!  Nay!  Christiana  would  only  say:  The  good 
works  jpf  man  are  but  dirt  and  filth,  she  would  only  pun 
ish  me." 

"  Then  come,  I  will  give  thee  fine  and  sweet  flowers." 
The  poor  girl  was  so  afraid  of  her  cruel  mistress,  that 
she  dared  not  accept  the  kind  offer  of  Humanity,  but 
after  awhile  she  said  she  would  come. 


176  THE    TABLEAU. 

A  worker  in  all  kinds  of  brass  and  iron  had  taken  the 
plan  for  the  engine.  Common  Sense  came  with  Human 
ity  next  morning.  Reason  had  to  aid  the  man  with  his 
engine,  but  soon  it  was  completed  and  proved  to  be  a 
"  Saviour."  After  the  engine  came  the  steamboat,  the 
telegraph,  the  locomotive,  the  cast-iron  plow,  the  har 
vester,  and  the  steam  printing  press,  additions  to  natural 
history,  geology,  astronomy,  chemistry,  and  all  other 
useful  knowledge. 

With  Trinity  or  Christiana  came  nothing  .but  "Tracts! 
Tracts!"  Having  found  his  location  beside  Reason  an 
unprofitable  one,  he  removed  to  Chinatown  and  began  to 
handle  the  inventions  of  Reason,  praising  Christiana  as 
being  the  author  or  inventor,  and  slandering  Reason  con 
tinually  as  an  imitator  and  vile  character,  and  Humanity 
as^-a  worthless  and  depraved  creature. 
'  What  fraud? 


HP 


REBELLION. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

NE  day  when  the  market  was  particularly  quiet, 
there  came  shouting  and  a  noise  as  if  a  great  af 
fair  was  coming  off  at  a  short  distance.     Turning 
to  a  bystander  Reason  asked  what  the  gathering 
meant. 

"Slave  market  day,  this,  are  you  not  aware  of  it?  See 
there  goes  a  drove,  don't  you  hear  the  cracking  of  whips 
and  the  hlood-hounds  bark?" 

Reason  was  made  speechless  and  Humanity  wept. 
They  closed  their  stands,  and  all  went  to  the  slave  sale. 
Christiana  was  there  bidding. '  Reason  bought  her  choice 
and  gave  the  slave  free.  He  bought  until  his  means  were 
exhausted.  Christiana's  eyes  flashed,  and  she  undoubt 
edly  would  have  had  him  beheaded,  if  she  had  power,, 
but  her  time  was  past,  but  yet  she  dealt  in  slavery^  .*.  , 
Reason  rebuked  her,  but  she  said:  "  Had  not  our  holy 
ancestors  slaves,  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  usurper  of 
the  law  that  thou  art." 

Reason  soon  after  came  to  America  and  thus  he  spoke: 

"Why  is  it  that   I  hear   and  see  this  slavery?    Is 

not  Liberty  a  Princess  for  all?    How  then  do  I  see  our 

colored  brethren  sold  and  treated  like  cattle,  and  abused 

as  if  Americans  were  barbarians?" 

"Ah!  My  friend  Reason,  long  have  I  grieved  over  this 
very  thing,  but  Ameicans  are  a  stiff-necked  people,  and 
the  slaves  are  profitable,  and  how  can  I  take  them  away? 
It  is  not  barbarism,  but  the  profits,  the  profits,  that  lead 
the  people  astray  in  all  these  evil  things." 


178  THE    TABLEAU. 

"  Whither  is  Justice  gone  and  his  sword?  If  it  is  not 
in  words  that  this  disgrace  be  stopped,  perhaps  th&  eword 
is  ordained  to  help  in  Civilization  and  to  further  the 
rights  of  man.  This  slavery  is  overdone.  It  makes 
Humanity  weep,  and  Society  ashamed,  and  makes  Liberty 
hide  her  face.  Who  is  this  general  that  is  so  slow  to 
help  the  poor  and  abused  to  thair  rights?" 

"  'Tis  a  sore  thing  to  meddle  with,  the  house  is  of  di 
verse  opinion.  The  instatement  of  a  new  overseer  is  at 
hand  and  I  look  forward  with  distress.  The  children  of 
the  North  have  given  their  slaves  to  Liberty,  but  the 
South  hold  the  slaves  for  Profit's  sake.  Count  Profit  is 
a  desperate  fellow,  he  looks  innocent,  but  knows  how  to 
hold  his  head  above  water.  He  will  give  Justice  a  hard 
tussle,  yet  Justice  shall  win  in  the  end,  but  he  will  be 
wounded. 

The  election  came,  and  the  North  won,  that  is  intelli 
gently,  but  the  real  winning  lastly  and  ever  lays  ill 
physical  strength  and  that  remained  at  large.  The 
house  desired  peace,  but  individually  there  was  strife 
which  steadily  drifted  to  a  general  division  and  breaking 
up  of  the  home. 

And  it  came. 

Justice  in  the  North  and  the  Count  in  the  South.  Many 
said  no  coercion,  but  Reason,  Humanity,  Tolerance  and 
Civility,  Liberty  and  America  said,  "freedom  for  all," 
and  so  said  Lincoln  the  new  overseer. 

America  seemed  paralized  with  fear.  All  waited  for 
the  orders  of  the  leader.  He  said: 

"Justice,  put  on  thy  armor!     America  for  Liberty." 

At  Fort  Sumpter  the  trouble  began,  and  on  the  eighty- 
fourth  anniversary  of  the  battle  at  Concord,  on  the 
streets  of  Baltimore,  the  first  blood  was  shed,  and  again 
the  American  war  spirit,  this  time  with  the  speed  of  elec 
tricity  swept  over  the  land. 


THE    TABLEAU.  179 

Four  million  men  flew  to  arms,  and  with  the  valor  of 
Americans,  the  most  terrible  battles  ensued.  After  four 
years'  engagement,  and  with  one  million  dead,  arms  were 
laid  down,  the  union  re-established  and  the  slaves  free. 

Thus  the  mightiest  host  ever  called  to  the  field  by  a 
republic  went  back  quietly  to  the  tranquil  pursuits  of 
Civility. 

Christiana  had  grown  older  and  Society  had  grown  to 
a  beautiful  maiden. 

All  this  time  the  market  had  been  empty.  The  women 
wept,  men  fought,  Reason  laid  up  a  treasure. 

During  the  war  all  had  become  poor,  and  as  all  the 
poor  sympathize  with  the  poor,  Christiana  was  glad  to 
find  a  friend  in  Reason.  Then  she  refused  not  the  gifts 
of  Reason  given,  to  Society  in  her  visits  to  his  house. 
But  no  sooner  was  Civility  re-established  when  the  old 
hatred  also  again  appeared.  Christiana  understood  from 
the  law,  that  a  terrible  fate  overhung  the  world  unless 
mankind  would  return  and  accept  her  as  the  queen  and 
holy  one.  Worship  was  still  occasionally  held,  not  as  a 
thing  of  use,  but  as  a  relic,  useful  worship  was  all  in 
learning.  The  saints  were  ignored,  and  some  of  the  most 
beneficent  laws  in  favor  of  Christiana's  physical  as  well 
as  moral  wellfare,  were  repealed  and  rejected. 

The  progress  of  the  past  had  given  Reason  a  mighty 
shift.  There  was  a  powerful  faction  coming  to  the  front, 
whose  faith  in  divinity  did  not  go  beyound  Humanity. 
But  there  were  still  many  who  had  never  turned  aside 
from  "  fear." 

Trinity  was  a  firm  believer  in  all  ghost  stories  and  mi 
raculous  conceptions,  and  exercised  in  all  sorts  of  strength 
invigorating  feats,  such  as  wrestling,  emotional  oratory, 
jumping,  shouting,  and  hitting  a  mark.  He  had  also 
learned  wonderful  things  from  the  almanac  about  coming 


180  THE    TABLEAU. 

events.  He  could  tell  when  the  stars  would  fall  from 
heaven,  when  the  sun  would  burst,  and  the  moon  turn 
into  blood.  He  would  speculate  on  flying  through 
the  air — the  restoration  of  Christiana's  queenship — the 
destruction  of  Reason  and  Civility  and  the  burning  of 
Infidels.  All  this  will  be  a  glorious  time  for  him  and 
his  queen,  and  everybody  knows  it  (?).  Then  he  looked 
for  a  gay  time,  and  both  he  and  Christiana  drifted  to 
wards  their  salvation. 

Society  still  sold  flowers.  Her  dress  was  gayer  and 
her  little  arts  of  decoration  which  Common  Sense  had 
learned  her,  brought  her  a  good  custom.  Christiana  was 
her  deadly  enemy,  but  happy  for  Society,  slavery  was 
abolished  and  Tyrany  could  no  more  inflict  her  tortures. 
Christiana  had  to  beg  for  a  living.  Her  tracts  had  to  be 
given  away  or  she  would  not  get  rid  of  them. 

Reason  and  Humanity  had  long  since  assumed  their 
real  name  and  thrown  off  their  disguise.  The  forces  that 
were  once  commanded  to  destroy  him,  were  now  all  in 
bis  command,  entering  and  marching  on  the  highways  of 
Science.  All  objects  were  directed  to  immediate  benefit, 
for  ease  and  comfort  and  pleasure  of  man. 

At  this  time,  America  was  united  by  a  cable  telegraph 
with  the  old  world,  and  combined  the  two  worlds  into 
immediate  communication.  Then  came  the  Union  Pacific 
Railway  across  the  continent.  These  enterprises  were 
followed  by  electric  light,  telephone,  and  various  induce 
ments  of  electricity  for  the  good,  with  more  to  follow. 

AH  hail  to  science! 

Common  Sens^  and  Society  had  entered  affectional  as 
sociation  and  were  happy.  One  day  as  they  were  together 
in  the  market,  she  in  her  fine  dress  and  jewels  and  rib 
bons—Trinity  and  his  mistress  came  along. 


HTE    TABLEAU.  181 

"Is  this  my  daughter,"  she  said.  "I  cry  thy  pardon 
if  I  am  mistaken,  but  where  didst  get  this  jewel  and  fine 
garment.  Ay!  wanton  wretch  with  painted  face.  Is  it 
thus  thou  dost  rob  me?"  Then  she  looked  at  Common 
Sense  from  head  to  foot. 

"Aha!  The  warden,  hast  come  back  to  my  family. 
How  do  you  do?" 

"  Yes  madam,  it  is  I,  the  Warden,  Common  Sense." 

"  You  will  be  a  great  man  some  day,  being  that  you 
have  come  into  my  house  again." 

"  I  am  great  now,  therefore  I  advise  you  to  go  easy 
with  your  abuses." 

"You  dare  talk  so  to  me,"  she  cried  looking  with. her 
sinister  eyes. 

"I  dare,  madam." 

"I  suppose  I  have  a  right  to  speak  to  my  own  daugh 
ter,"  she  said,  her  eyes  glaring. 

"  She  is  not  and  never  has  been  your  daughter,  only 
thy  slave,  and  slavery  is  abolished." 

Christiana  looked  cross-eyed  and  said:  "I  see,  I  see 
one  that  would  go  in  to  his  marriage  feast  in  unclean 
garments,  this  is  his  bed — bound  on  hands  and  feet  and 
cast  into  outer  darkness,  where  shall  be  weeping  and 
gnashing  of  teeth,  for  many  are  called  but  few  are  chosen. \ 

"  Madame  we  believe  not  these  things." 

"Fools!  Fools!  Ye  shall  learn  to  believe  when  I  in 
herit  my  kingdom."  Then  looking  into  the  skies,  she 
swore:  "  Death  and  ruin  to  the  unbelievers.  Death  and 
flames  of  fire  to  those  that  despoil  my  holy  offspring — 
the  avenger  cometh,  lo,  the  avenger  cometh  quickly." 
She  then  walked  away  followed  by  her  servant  who  with 
a  bandana  wiped  away  his  tears. 

)"  Sweetheart,"  cried   Society,    "Woe!    Woe  me!"  aad 
burst  into  crying. 


182  THE    TABLEAU. 

"Words!  Words!"  said  Common  Sense,  "  Let  the  poor 
mad  woman  rave.     Now  let  us  home,  the  sun  is  away." 


COUNT  PROFIT. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

OUNT  PROFIT  was  a  man  of  wealth,  a  banker, 
doing  business  on  a  large  scale,  and  counting  his 
dollars  by  the  millions.  He  was  hard,  stern  and 
crafty,  shrewed  at  a  bargain,  and  allowing  no 
more  conscience  than  he  could  conveniently  get  along  with. 
He  had  been  in  business  for  years,  and  was  reckoned  to 
be  as  clever  at  keeping  money  as  he  was  in  getting  it, 
adding  to  his  fortune  year  by  year,  and  never  giving  any 
away. 

Mr.  Profit,  one  day  after  banking  hours  sat  in  his  office, 
when  a  note  was  brought  to  him  by  one  of  his  clerks. 

"  Sent  by  special  order,"  said  the  man  as  he  handed 
over  an  envelope. 

"Thank  you,  Legality,"  said  the  Count,  "you  are  late 
to  day." 

"  Yes  sir,  I  had  a  great  deal  to  do." 

"You  work  pretty  hard,  don't  you?" 

"  I  try  to  do  my  duty,  sir,"  said  the  man. 

"Ah!  That  will  do." 

Legality  went  out  and  the  banker  read: 

"  Friend  Profit: — Meet  me  in  front  of  grave  yard  to 
night  at  seven.  I  wish  to  see  you  on  important  business 
which  concerns  you  and  I.  (Signed)  Governor." 

The  Count's  brow  grew  dark  as  he  read  this  and  tapped 
his  foot  on  the  floor.  "What  can  he  want  of  me,"  he 
mused.  "  I  must  humor  him,  for  he  knows  too  much  of 
that  Justice  business  to  be  made  an  enemy." 


184  THE   TABLEAU. 

At  the  hour  appointed,  the  Count  appeared  at  the 
grave  yard.  At  the  same  moment  another  man  stepped 
out  from  behind  a  pillar,  and  tapped  the  Count  on  the 
shoulder. 

"Aha!  Mr.  Count,  you  are  prompt  in  keeping  your  ap 
pointments." 

The  banker  gave  a  start,  while  a  look  of  disgust  came 
in  his  face. 

"  The  Governor  in  this  attire,"  he  exclaimed. 

"  It's  the  Governor  himself,  your  old  friend,  who  is  glad 
to  shake  you  by  the  hand  again." 

"Don't  touch  me!"  Cried  the  Count  drawing  back. 
"  How  is  it  that  you  are  in  rags  and  filth?  How  came 
you  to  be  in  such  aplight?  What  do  you  want  with  me?" 

"  Money,"  said  the  Governor  shrugging  his  shoulder. 

"  I  gave  you  a  large  sum  of  money  two  years  ago. 
What  have  you  done  with  it?" 

"  Squandered  it,  defending  the  law,  building  a  wall 
around  Justice  and  some  other  things  which  I  will  not 
mention.  Any  way,  its  gone  Mr.  Count,  and  I  must 
have  more." 

"  You  are  insatiable/' 

"  Not  at  all,  Mr.  Count,  but  you  see  I  have  the  office  of 
a  gentleman,  and  the  salary  of  a  rag  picker.  That's  the 
trouble." 

"  I  will  give  you  nothing,"  hissed  the  Count. 

"  Not  so  fast,  Mr.  Count,  I  shall  have  to  remind  you  of 
what  I  know  of  your  affairs  and  of  Justice." 

"Sh!  Some  one  may  hear  you.  Come  into  the  grave 
yard." 

"  There  is  nobody  but  the  apple  woman,  and  she  has 
sobbed  herself  to  sleep,  and  the  boys  will  soon  steel  her 
fruit,  however,  I  will  go  with  you. 

The  two  men  stepped  inside,  and  then  the  Governor 
began: 


THE    TABLEAU.  185 

"  You  remember  one  Justice  of  the  war,  who  fought  for 
me  and  for  the  rights  of  man,  leaving  in  my  care  the  law?'' 

"  Well,  what  of  that,"  said  the  Count  haughtily.  "  He 
is  in  prison." 

"Ha!  Ha!  so  you  think  Mr.  Count.  You  gave  me 
money  and  advise  to  make  law,  and  you  got  rich.  That 
was  clever,  and  if  your  man  is  fast,  you  are  all  right,  but 
if  he  is  free?" 

"  But  he  is  in  prison,  you  put  him  there." 

"  Yes,  but  I  can  let  him  out." 

"Scaundrel!" 

"  Pardon  me,  Mr.  Count,  but  you  should  not  use  bad 
words."  -~ 

"  You  are  acting  dishonorably,  sir." 

"  In  the  matter  of  honor,  I  think  there  is  little  choice 
between  us." 

"  Why  sir,  will  you  not  do  as  you  promised?  " 

"  Mr.  Count,  his  friends  are  onto  me.  Justice  is  an 
honorable  man,  and  unless  I  pardon  him,  I  shall  lose  my 
office.". 

"  They  must  be  crushed,"  hissed  the  Count. 

"  That  is  easier  said  than  done,  Mr.  Count,  and  what 
does  it  matter  anyway  if  he  is  free?  You  have  got  the 
estate — but  I  can  hold  him." 

"  Nothing  is  safe  with  that  man  about  one's  business. 
Besides  he  has  a  friend  somewhere  in  the  state,  and  if  he 
hears  of  my  transactions,  I  shall  lose  all." 

"Ahs-T   " 

"Did  you  say  you  could  hold  him?" 

"  I  can  make  arrangements  with  the  court — but  it  takes 
money." 

"  Do  it,  and  I  will  give  you  a  hundred  thousand." 

"  It  is  a  bargain." 


186  THE    TABLEAU. 

At  that  moment  a  boy  came  running  into  the  yard 
crying:  "Extra  news,  all  about  the  robbery.  Want  a 
paper,  boss?" 

"  No.     Get  out." 

"Want  a  shine?" 

"No!" 

"  You  need  it  bad,  boss." 

"  Get  out,  you  vagabond,  or  I'll  have  you  locked  up." 

"You  will,  eh  boss? — because  you  have  money  and  I 
aint.  Then  looking  at  the  governor,  he  said:  "A  feller 
that  goes  with  that  sort  of  people  aint  got  much  principle?" 

"  Be  off,  you  scoundrel  or  I'll " 

"You  would  not  hurt  a  poor  boy,  would  you,  mister?" 
said  the  apple  woman,  who  had  come  to  the  news  boy's 
rescue. 

"  Remember!  "  muttered  the  Count  and  hurried  away. 

"  Hello,  Governor,  you  have  a  new  partner,  have  you? 
He's  better  togged  than  you  are,  aint  he?" 

"  You  young  rascal,  if  I  ever  get  you  in  my  lingers  I'll 
put  a  clasp  on  that  lip  of  yours,"  muttered  the  Governor, 
and  slunk  away  leaving  the  boy  with  the  woman. 

"  Say,  Humanity,  there  is  something  in  the  wind. 
Them  fellers  don't  slink  that  way  for  nothing." 

"  I  hope  not,  but  since  Justice  has  left  our  house  there 
is  so  much  mischief  going  on,  that  I  sometimes  fear 
Justice  has  been  foully  dealt  with." 

"Ah!  Never  fear  for  Justice.  He  is  too  good  a  man  to 
be  wiped  out  without  a  sign." 

"  Not  that  he  is  dead,  but  with  odds  against  him,  per 
haps  in  prison." 

"  Don't  you  be  afraid,  Humanity,  he'll  get  out  if  he  is, 
but  these  fellers  are  after  spoil,  and  you  had  better  keep 
an  eye  open."  Saying  this  he  went  away. 


THE    TABLEAU.  187 

Humanity  turned  to  her  stand  which  was  not  very  well 
patronized,  for  the  markets  were  overdone.  She  soon  fell 
into  a  doze  and  as  she  sat  and  slept,  a  rough  looking  fel 
low  came  along  and  stood  looking  at  her. 

"  There  she  is  "  he  muttered.  "I  wonder  if  he's  coming 
after  her  to-night.  If  he  does,  I'll  take  my  chances  of 
making  a  stake." 

"  How  do  you  do,  my  dear  friend?  How  are  you,  my 
Honorable  Judge?" 

"Hello!  If  it  aint  the  Governor  himself." 
"Sh!    Come  away,  the  apple  woman  may  wake  up. 
You  look  as  if  you  wanted  to  see  me,"  said  the  Governor. 
"  I  do,  I  know  where  our  man  is." 
"Reason?"  asked  the  Governor. 

"  Yes,  he  lives  with  this  woman  and  sometimes  comes 
to  meet  her.     We  can  get  him  to-night  if  we  are  sharp. 
If  we  can  once  get  him  into  the  castle  we  will  be  fixed." 
"  A  hundred  thousand  is  the  bargain." 
"A  hundred  thousand?     That  is  worth  the  while  for 
doing  a  daring  deed,  if  we  can  rope  him  in  we  will  be 
in  possession  of  a  handsome  little  tribe,  America,  Liberty, 
Justice  and  Reason,  a  fine  outfit  to  have  behind  the  bars," 
"  Take  him  in  and  I'll  share  the  spoil  with  you." 
"  But  how?     Reason  is  a  mighty  cunning  fellow  and 
it'll  take  craft."    v 

"Where  are  your  craftmen,  the  lawyers?  They'll 
hook  'em  for  you.  Its  mighty  fine  sand  that'll  run 
through  their  fingers." 

"  They  are  waiting  for  orders  and  together  with  Skill 
and  Craft,  and  the  boodle,  we  can  surely  hobble  him  and 
turn  him  in  under  lock  and  key." 

"  Good!  Our  fortune  is  secure,"  said  the  Governor. 
"  Sh!  The  apple  woman  wakes  up,"  muttered  the  Judge, 
Both  men  hurried  off  towards  a  dark  street  into  which 
they  turned  and  were  lost  to  sight. 


THE    TABLEAU. 

"I  wonder  what  man  they  were  talking  about,  truly, 
they  look  mischievous." 

"  At  this  moment  hurrying  footsteps  were  heard  and 
Goodwill,  the  newsboy,  came  running  up. 

u  These  men  are  going  to  lay  for  Reason,  undo  him  and 
put  him  into  prison.  They  have  America,  Liberty,  Justice? 
and  if  they  get  Reason,  they  will  have  a  fine  outfit  be 
hind  the  bars;  but  if  my  pap's  name  is  Common  Sense, 
and  my  ma's  Society,  they  will  not  get  their  thumb  on 
this  outfit  nor  on  Reason,  and  throwing  his  bundle  of 
papers  .on  Huoaanity  '*  stand,  he  sped  away.  ^ , 


TROUBLE. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

ffi  T  was  a  glorious  morning.  The  sun  shone  with  un 
usual  splendor,  but  the  air  was  cool  and  pleasant. 
8\  Count  Profit  as  usual  was  with  his  various  modes 
of  speculation  after  spoil,  thinking  that  his  allies  had 
successfully  suppressed  his  last  enemy.  But  before  the 
sun  stood  at  150  *A.  I.,  some  capital  men  who  were  out 
soliciting  came  hurriedly  to  the  castle  with  the  tidings 
that  Reason  had  escaped  and  was  agitating  among  the 
people,  arousing  them  to  rise  against  the  Count  and  the 
men  of  the  castle  who  defend  him. 

While  they  were  yet  talking,  the  watchman  on  the 
wall  cried  out  "The  foe,  the  foe!  They  come,  they  come! 
Make  ready  to  defend  the  gates!  " 

Many  endeavored  to  persuade  the  Count  and  Governor 
to  surrender,  but  they  considered  labor  a  disgrace  and 
chose  rather  to  defend  themselves  to  the  utmost,  and  mil 
lions  were  subscribed  by  the  Count  to  be  invested  in 
arrangements  for  defence.  The  trumpeters  blew  loud  and 
long,  the  men  of  war  put  on  their  armor  and  equipped 
themselves  in  haste.  The  Marshals,  the  Police,  the 
Pinkertons,  and  the  Sheriffs  took  their  places. 

The  captains  of  millions,  gave  their  commands  to  the 
captains  of  thousands,  and  these  again  to  the  captains  of 
hundreds  (of  dollars). 

The  Count,  in  his  chariot  with  Legality — the  Lawyers 
and  the  Governor  together  with  the  Judge,  rode  from 
street  to  street,  and  from  gate  to  gate,  to  see  that  no  spot 
was  left  for  the  foe  to  enter  the  castle. 

•American  Independence. 


190  THE   TABLEAU. 

The  men  of  war  were  happy  to  once  more  lay  hand  to 
the  sword  for  slaughter,  and  the  speakers  practiced  up 
their  sharpness,  and  the  rites  and  ceremonies  were  re- 
hersed  vigorously.  Strangers  were  imported  to  fill  the 
place  of  deserters  and  a  stock  was  kept  in  store  for 
emergencies.  The  whole  land  was  in  a  state  of  war  and 
again  and  again,  capital  men  flocked  into  the  stronghold 
taking  with  them  their  gold,  and  thereby  draining  the 
country  of  all  resources,  for  gold  was  made  to  represent 
the  earth  with  all  she  contained.  Nearer  and  nearei 
came  the  foe — the  people — their  banners  flashing  in  th< 
sun. 

Gradually  they  surrounded  the  castle. 
Reason  and  Common  Sense  were  terribly  incensed  a1 
the  conspiracy  of  the  Governor,  and  the  confinement  ol 
Liberty  and  Justice.  Also,  the  people  were  exasperated 
at  the  breaking  of  a  sacred  league,  the  taking  away  oi 
their  resources  for  living.  Had  they  not  cleared  the 
rugged  slopes  of  America,  had  they  not  built  the  cities, 
railroads,  bridges,  dug  the  gold,  silver,  iron,  coal?  How 
then  dare  a  man  who  never  labored  take  away  all  their 
things,  lock  them  up  and  cause  thousands  to  suffer  and 
starve.  Why  this  injustice?  On,  Americans!  On!  On! 
To  the  seige! 

It  was  a  terrible,  yet  beautiful  s'g'it  to  see  the  incensed 
mass  come  nearer  and  nearer,  then  spread  out  like  a 
mighty  water  and  close  around  the  devoted  castle. 

Trinity  was  in  it,  clad  in  the  habiliments  of  war,  with 
sword  and  knapsack  he  ascended  to  the  chapel. 
Christiana  spoke  more  vehemently  than  ever: 
"  Let  God  arise,  let  his  enemies  be  scattered,  etc. 
>When   she    had    finished,   Trinity  touched   her   gar 
ment.     She  turned  and  looking  at  him  cried:     "  What? 
Wouldst   thou,  man  of  God  disobey  his   law?       Whv 


THE    TABLEAU.  191 

these  weapons  of  slaughter  by  thy  side?  Knowest  thou 
not  that  the  Lord  fighteth  the  battles  for  those  that  love 
him?  Though  thou  shouldst  fight  until  thy  hands  be 
stiff  with  blood,  yet  would  God's  will  be  done." 

Trinity  turned  away  sad.  He  believed  Christiana  to 
truly  interpret  the  divine  will  to  man,  so  he  would  not 
disobey,  although  his  heart  was  cruelly  torn,  thinking  of 
the  castle  which  he  so  loved  being  broken  and  not  rais 
ing  a  hand  to  stay  the  enemy.  He  met  the  Governor  on 
the  stairs.  He  looked  at  him  and  smiled,  then  noticing 
how  pale  Trinity  looked,  and  so  sad,  he  said: 

"Why  so  sad,  Oh  Man  of  War?  Thou  shouldst  be 
glad  to  fight  for  thy  country." 

He  felt  crushed.  How  could  he  make  him  understand 
that  he  was  no  coward,  but  that  he  was  a  Christian. 

An  embassy  from  outside  demanded  a  hearing  with  the 
Governor.  After  their  admittance,  they  presented  a  de 
claration  of  rights,  reading  as  follows: 

A  declaration  by  the  representatives  of  the  United 
Orders  of  Labor  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled. 

When  in  the  course  of  human  events  it  becomes  neces 
sary  for  one  people  to  dissolve  their  allegiance  to  another, 
and  to  assume  a  separate  and  equal  station,  to  which  the 
laws  of  nature  entitle  them,  a  decent  respect  to  the 
opinions  of  mankind,  requires  that  they  should  declare 
the  causes  which  impel  them  to  such  dissolution. 

We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self  evident:  That  all  men 
are  born  equal;  that  they  are  endowed  with  certain  ina 
lienable  rights,  among  these  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pur 
suit  of  happiness.  That  to  secure  these  rights,  govern 
ments  are  instituted,  deriving  there  just  powers  from  the 
consent  of  the  governed:  That  whenever  any  govern 
ment  becomes  destructive  to  these  ends,  it  is  the  right  of 
the  people  ta  abolish  it  and  to  institute  a  new  form  of 


192  THE   TABLEAU. 

government,  laying  its  foundation,  and  organizing  its 
powers  in  such  a  form  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  likely 
to  effect  their  safety  and  happiness.  Therefore,  when  a 
long  train  of  abuses  and  oppression  evinces  the  tendency 
to  reduce  them  under  absolute  despotism,  it  is  their  right, 
their  duty  to  throw  off  such  government  and  to  provide 
new  guards  for  their  future  security.  Such  has  been  the 
sufferance  of  these  Orders  of  labor,  and  such  is  now  the 
necessity  which  constrains  them  to  altar  their  former 
system  of  government. 

The  history  of  late  years  is  a  history  of  repeated  in 
juries  and  usurpation,  all  having  a  direct  tendency  toward 
the  establishment  of  absolute  tyrany. 

To  prove  this  let  candid  facts  be  submitted  to  the  world. 
1st.  It  has  neglected  to  limit  monopoly,  wherefore, 
natural  resources,  such  as  lands,  water,  mines,  timber 
and  oil  has  been  transferred  from  the  nation  into  com 
panies  and  syndicates.  Thereby  depriving  American 
citizens  from  free  access  to  American  resources. 

2d.  It  has  neglected  after  such  deprivation  to  protect 
Americans  from  the  tyrany  of  those  on  whom  they  have 
been  made  dependent  by  failing  to  enforce  a  fair  recom 
pense  for  labor. 

3d.  It  has  neglected  to  limit  the  power  of  those  in 
possession  of  American  resources,  wherefore,  America  has 
become  as  it  were  a  monarchy — dependent  on  Barons, 
who  at  their  leisure  are  permitted  to  take  away  living 
from  thousands,  whereby  the  greatest  distress  and  suffer 
ing  is  thrown  in  the  midst  of  resourceful  communities. 

4th.  It  has  neglected  to  provide  a  common  and  certain 
source  of  living,  wherefore,  many  fail  to  find  employment, 
which  condition  causes  an  unusual  strain  on  the  mind, 
and  leads  to  theft,  degradation,  insanity  and  suicide. 
Furthermore,  the  same  circumstances  discourages  mar- 


THE    TABLEAU. 

riage  for  fear  of  poverty,  wherefore  the  nation  is  flooded 
with  homeless  men  and  women,  who  are  bereft  of  all 
pleasures  and  privileges,  as  well  as  honors  pertaining  to 
married  life. 

5th.  It  has  employed  cruel  and  unthinking  men  at 
large  salaries  to  quell  and  scatter  honorable  citizens,  con 
triving  as  a  body,  to  secure  themselves  from  the  tyrany  of 
Barons,  whereby  the  innocent  are  crushed  and  the  guilty 
go  free. 

6th.  It  has,  in  emergencies  such  as  aforesaid,  which 
have  driven  men  and  women  into  dispair,  and  in  which 
desperation  sought  to  regain  their  living,  ordered  them  to 
be  shot  down,  instead  of  redressing  their  righteous  and 
just  demands, 

7th.  It  has  allowed  itself  extraordinary  taxes  and 
stored  away  wealth,  while  men,  women  and  children  in 
pressing  circumstances  are  forced  to  contribute  their, 
necessities  to  the  extravagance  of  officers.  ~/#^^-^'t^ 

8th.  It  has  in  its  employ  swarms  of  officers  for  the 
peace,  who  continually  multiply  trouble  and  disgrace  by 
publishing  crimes  and  torturing  the  unfortunate  victim 
instead  of  supplying  his  want,  and  thus  furthering  peace. 

9th.  It  has  neglected  to'  abolish  laws  unfit  to  appear 
on  American  or  civilized  penal  codes,  such  as  capital 
punishment  or  life-long  imprisonment  for  crimes  commit 
ted  in  a  fit  of  passion  or  unusual  provocation,  which 
criminals  are  honorable  citizens  in  ordinary  circum 
stances. 

llth.  In  short  it  has  neglected  to  do  its  duty,  inas- 
mcuh,  that  it  allows  amidst  enormous  stores  of  wealth  and 
provisions,  men  and  women  to  suffer  and  starve,  which, 
in  consideration  of  natural  rights  is  tyrany,  and  in  the 
highest  degree  indecent. 

M 


194  THE    TABLEAU. 

In  every  stage  of  these  oppressions,  we  have  petitioned 
for  redress  in  the  most  humble  terms,  but  were  answered 
only  by  repeated  injury.  A  government  whose  character 
is  thus  marked  with  oppression  and  suffering  is  unfit  to 
stand  any  longer  at  the  head  of  a  free  people.  We  must 
therefore  arise  and  ratify  our  demand,  and  hold  those 
that  oppose  labor,  our  enemies,  and  those  that  encourage 
the  welfare  of  laborers  friends. 

We  therefore,  the  representatives  of  the  United  Orders 
of  Labor,  appealing  to  Reason,  for  the  rectitude  ©f  our 
demands,  do  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
good  people  of  these  orders,  solemnly  publish  and  de 
clare,  that  unless  the  reformation  is  granted,  to  inaugu 
rate  a  universal  strike,  establish  a  source  of  living  for 
the  orders  of  labor  alone,  and  cut  all  profits  from  the 
products  thereof.  That  they  are  absolved  from  all  alleg 
iance  to  the  present  constitution,  which  is  and  ought  to 
be  totally  dissolved,  and  that  as  free  and  independent 
orders,  they  have  full  power  to  form  a  congress,  enact  a 
*iew  constitution,  make  new  laws,  establish  commerce  and 
,controll  all  labor  and  productions  of  labor  at  their  leisure. 
And  for  support  of  this  declaration  with  a  firm  reliance 
,on  our  physical  strength,  we  mutually  pledge  to  each 
.other,  our  lives,  property  and  sacred  honor. 
i  L  The  foregoing  declaration  was  by  order  of  Necessity, 
engrossed  and  signed  by  the  following  members  of  Royal 
authority,  to-wit: 

Reason.  Humanity.  Common  Sense. 

Civility.  Tolerance.  Society. 

After  the  Governor  had  read  he  went  to  consult  the 
Count,  who  with  his  face  flushed  with  anger  cried: 

"  They  shall  have  nothing.  Lay  hold  of  the  impious 
rebels  and  cast  them  in  prison.  They  shall  not  escape." 


THE    TABLEAU.  195 

Then  the  Governor  gave  orders  to  mount  the  walls  and 
to  work  death  amongst  the  enemies,  and  immediately  all 
the  forces  of  law  were  burst  upon  the  unfortunate.  Bat 
the  whole  valley  was  flooded  with  men  to  beseige  the 
castle,  artists,  mechanics,  miners,  railroadmen,  sailors, 
farmers,  laborers  and  tramps,  all  on  a  strike  with  only 
enough  employed  to  produce  food  for  the  orders  of  labor, 
with  nothing  for  outsiders,  neither  for  love  nor  money 
unless  they  surrendered.  When  the  instruments  of  law 
were  turned  loose,  the  men  of  labor  simply  withdrew  out 
of  reach.  "* 

Poor  Trinity!  Even  Christiana  pitied  him — for  to  obey 
God  implicitly  he  must  not  even  touch  an  arrow  or  throw 
a  stone.  Now  he  felt  sympathy  for  the  Governor — How 
very  hard  it  must  be  for  him  to  see  his  duty  clear  and 
perform  it. 

Ah!  But  one  thing  he  could  do,  bear  his  cross  with 
resignation  and  look  starvation  in  the  face  like  a  man. 
How  he  thanked  God  for  this  privilege. 

Thus  several  months  passed  away.  Still  the  valley 
was  flooded  with  men,  but  the  forces  on  the  wall  were 
gradually  diminishing.  Then  they  thought  of  new 
agencies  for  defence  and  more  affective  ones,  but  what 
was  their  sorrow  when  they  found  neither  machinist  nor 
mechanic,  they  were  out,  they  were  in  the  lines  of  the 
enemy.  Food  was  getting  scarce,  and  many  white 
pinched  faces  told  of  want  of  proper  nourishment.  Oh,  if 
they  could  only  tire  the  haughty  workmen,  or  coax  them 
to  support  them  as  they  had  done  when  they  were  yet 
foolish.  «.  But  they  were  ever  increasing  and  seemed  legions 
never  dfminishing,  but  ever  increasing.  Now  the  Count 
ordered  the  rations  to  be  shortened,  and  soon  they  became 
weakened  and  many  deserted  the  castle.  Trinity  ob 
served  this  with  great  sorrow,  for  he  feared  the  rnillenium 


196  THE    TABLEAU. 

might  come  before  Christ,  if  Labor  should  govern.  Day 
after  day,  he  and  Christiana  went  to  the  chapel  to  sing 
and  pray.  Often  they  would  chant  Solomon's  song. 

She.    "My  beloved  is  white  and  ruddy  the  chiefest 
among  ten  thousand. 

"  His  head  is  as  the  most  fine  gold. 
"  His  eyes  are  as  the  eyes  of  doves. 
"  His  cheeks  are  a  bed  of  spices. 
"  His  mouth  is  most  sweet,  yea  altogether  lovely." 
He.     His  voice  trembling  with  emotion.     "  Whither  is 
thy  beloved  gone,  oh  thou  fairest  among  women?  Whither 
is  thy  beloved  turned  aside?" 

She.  "  My  beloved  is  gone  down  into  his  garden  to  the 
bed  of  spices  to  feed  in  the  gardens,  to  gather  lillies." 

He.  "  Thou  art  beautiful,  oh  my  love,  as  Tirza,  comely 
as  the  castle,  terrible  as  an  army  of  banners?  "  Then  he 
embraced  her  and  weept,  and  then  both  sang  "  The  Lord 
is  my  shepherd." 

One  night  when  Trinity  came  home,  Christiana  said: 
"  Our  food  is  almost  gone,  there  is  only  a  crust  left,  and 
gold  can  buy  no  more." 

"  My  dear,"  he  said,  "give  me  the  crust,  and  do  thou  eat 
the  rest,  and  when  that  is  gone  we  will  go  to  the  grave. 
"Oh  why    must    the    Lord's  children    thus    suffer? 
Nightly  I  pray  but  all  is  darkness.     The  Lord  has  hid 
den  his  face  from  us." 

Outside  the  walls  was  all  sunshine.  The  profiters  had 
ceased  to  do  business.  The  old  proverb,  "  He  who  labors 
not  shall  not  eat,"  was  radically  enforced. 

Humanity  and  Society  often  talked  about  Liberty  and 
Justice.  They  had  heard  of  the  scarcity  of  food  and  suf 
fering  in  the  castle.  If  they  could  only  send  them  some 
food,  but  how?  Goodwill  heard  this  and  thought,  "Its  a 
big  wall  that  will  keep  me  from  climbing  it!"  So  one  night 


THE    TABLEAU.  197 

he  secretly  left  his  home  with  a  store  for  the  castle.  At 
one  side  of  the  castle  stood  a  tree — the  tree  of  communi 
cation — whose  branches  overhung  the  wall.  "If  I  can 
once  get  hold  of  those  branches,  I'll  soon  shoot  down 
over  the  wall."  With  a  rope  he  had  brought,  he  meant 
to  overcome  this  obstacle,  and  soon  had  it  hung  over  a 
stout  limb  with  both  ends  in  his  hand.  To  one  he  tied 
his  basket,  and  in  a  moment  he  was  in  the  branches,  in 
another  he  was  on  the  wall.  A  guard  came  towards  him 
but  passed  on,  not  noticing  the  little  figgure  pressed  to 
'the  wall.  He  ran  along  to  the  nearest  stair  and  soon 
sped  in  the  darkness  towards  the  Governor's  palace. 

Arriving,  he  knocked  at  the  door,  but  all  was  silent. 
He  knocked  again  louder.  He  thought,  "  If  they  are  all 
dead."  At  length  a  voice  came  as  it  were  from  a  distance, 
asking:  "  Who  is  there?  " 

"  Goodwill,  the  newsboy,"  he  sang  out. 
In  a  moment  a  light  was  kindled  and  the  door  unlocked. 
Goodwill  was  struck  with  pity  at  the  sight  of  the  hag 
gard  face  of  the  Governor. 

"  Hello!  Governor,  you  look  bad.  How  is  Liberty 
and  Justice?" 

"It  is  going  hard  with  us.  You  see  the  Count  has 
bought  everything  that  was  in  store  and  we  are  all  at  his 
mercy." 

"  That  is  hard,  Governor.  Hadn't  you  better  throw  up 
the  sponge?  " 

"  I  would  throw  up,  but  it  would  make  a  traitor  of  me 
and  I  would  disgrace  myself." 

They  passed  into  a  side  room  where  America  lay. 

"Ah!  Good  master,  hast  thou  come  to  see  us  before  we 
die?  "  he  said  in  a  broken  voice. 

Then  Liberty  came  as  a  beautiful  spirit. 


198  THE    TABLEAU. 

"  I  have  brought  you  a  little  food,  'faint  much,  but 
it'll  come  handy  in  a  pinch." 

Then  he  uncovered  some  bread  and  cold  meat  and  a 
jar  of  milk. 

America  raised  himself:  "  Oh  the  food,  the  good  food," 
he  said,  with  tears  in  his  eyes. 

Goodwill  poured  out  some  milk,  and  took  it  with  some 
bread  to  him,  and  he  ate  and  drank  quick. 

"  You  had  better  go  slow,  old  man,  or  you'll  become 
smitten,"  cautioned  Goodwill.  He  then  spread  the  rest 
on  the  table  and  bade  the  Governor  and  Liberty  to  help 
themselves. 

"  Where  is  Justice?"  he  asked  of  the  Governor. 

"  Justice  is  with  the  Count." 

"  I  must  see  him.  Will  you  give  me  a  pass  or  go  with 
me  to  Justice?  I  have  brought  something  especially  for 
him." 

"  I'll  go  with  you.  I  want  to  see  him  too,  and  confess 
to  him." 

"  Say  Governor,  hadn't  you  better  throw  up  the  sponge?" 

"I'll  throw  up  when  I  get  ready." 

"  But  why  let  all  these  people  starve  thus  for  the  sake 
of  the  Count?  Say!  Is  Triny  and  Christy  living  yet?" 

"  They  are  alive  but  low." 

"  Say!  Won't  you  let  Justice  go  home  with  me,  Gover 
nor?" 

"Justice  shall  go  free!  I  have  a  big  bill  to  settle  with 
him." 

Goodwill  was  glad. 

"Say,  Governor!  You  are  having  a  hard  time  of  it 
since  I  saw  you  at  the  graveyard." 

"  That  was  a  bad  night." 

"  Say!  Gold  is  not  much  good  anyway,  is  it?  A  feller 
don't  make  much  by  selling  himself,  does  he?" 


THE    TABLEAU.  199 

"  Not  much." 

"Say,  Governor,  America  looks  sick,  don't  he,  and 
Liberty,  how  pale  she  is?  Say!  Won't  you  let  them  go 
free,  if  I  take  them  out  secretly?" 

The  Governor  did  not  answer.  They  had  now  reached 
the  building  where  Justice  was. 

"  Stand  here  a  little  till  I  come  again."  He  then 
knocked  at  the  door  and  disappeared,  but  immediately 
returned  with  a  bunch  of  keys.  Then  they  entered  a 
large  building,  and  after  they  had  gone  through  several 
halls  the  Governor  stopped  to  light  a  lamp  he  had  brought, 
then  placing  a  key  in  a  door,  he  turned  it  and  opened. 

"  This  is  where  Justice  stays.  Take  the  lamp  and  go 
to  him." 

"Goodwill  took  it  and  entered,  but  woe!  The  big  dooi 
fell  in  its  lock,  and  Goodwill  was  a  prisoner. 

"  Now,  you  have  Justice,  you  young  scout,"  said  the 
Governor,  and  hurrying  off,  his  footsteps  soon  became 
lost  in  the  distance. 


LABOR  VICTORIOUS. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

FTER  two  days  and  nights  of  solitude,  Goodwill 
was  aroused  by  approaching  footsteps,  but  they 
passed,  not  stopping  or  slacking.  Perceiving  this 
he  called  and  cried,  and  to  his  joy,  he  was  heard. 

The  passenger  came  to  the  cell  and  inquired  who  he 
was.  Goodwill  related  to  him  his  story,  as  how  he  had 
secretly  left  his  home  with  some  food  for  the  suffering, 
and  how  the  Governor  had  dealt  with  him. 

"  Who  is  your  father  and  who  are  your  friends?  " 

"  Common  Sense  is  my  father,  and  we  live  with  Reason 
and  the  apple  woman,  Humanity. 

"  Reason  and  Humanity?  "  exclaimed  the  stranger. 

"  My  son,  they  are  my  own  long  lost  friends."  At  this 
the  key  was  placed  in  the  lock  and  the  door  opened. 

"  Happy  for  you,  my  boy,  that  I  came  this  way.  Un 
doubtedly  the  Governor  had  locked  thee  up  to  die.  But 
you  shall  not  die.  My  name  is  Intelligence;  they  call 
me  Misled  and  I  have  planned  to  fly  from  the  castle  to 
night  and  you  shall  go  with  me." 

Goodwill  clapped  his  hands  for  joy. 

"  I  shall  take  Justice  with  me  also,  and  Liberty  if  I  can 
but  I  fear  she  is  not  able.  Remain  in  the  cell,  perchance 
the  Governor  may  come  and  find  you  not.  I  would  fall 
in  his  hands  and  all  of  us  die.  Remain  quiet,  about  mid 
night  I  shall  come  after  you."  Saying  this  the  warden 
closed  the  door  and  hurried  off. 

Intelligence  had  entered  the  service  of  America  long 
before  the  crisis  of  Labor  trouble  had  come  and  not  being 


THE    TABLEAU.  201 

in  need  of  anything  till  of  late,  he  was  contented  and 
remained  true  to  his  office,  as  he  thought,  an  honorable 
one.  But  being  required  to  ward  Justice,  and  requested 
to  shorten  his  rations,  he  saw  that  his  office  was  a  dis 
reputable  one,  but  fearing  the  Governor  as  well  as  the 
Count  he  said  nothing  but  sought  to  escape. 

Midnight   came,   and  with  it  came  the  warden  and 
Goodwill  was  made  free. 

"Is  Liberty  going  with  us?"  he  inquired. 

"Quietly,  my  boy!  She  is  waiting  with  Justice  at  the 
tree  outside  the  wall." 

"  Goody!  Goody!    Won't  Humanity  and  Ma  be  glad?" 

"Silent,  now,  my  boy,  and  look  out  for  the  guards. 
Give  me  your  hand." 

Noiselessly,  they  made  their  way  towards  the  wall. 
A  guard  sat  on  the  stairs.  They  waited  awhile,  but  see 
ing  that  he  did  not  move,  Intelligence  concluded  that  he 
was  asleep,  and  so  he  was.  They  passed  him  and  soon 
disappeared  in  the  tree. 

The  siege  continued,  and  month  after  month  passed 
away  with  ever  increasing  horrors.  Still  the  men  of  the 
castle  would  not  surrender.  One  day  the  battering  rams 
(public  opinion)  thundered  at  the  gates,  but  now  no 
fighting  men  gathered  quickly  to  drive  the  besiegers 
away.  Only  a  few  were  on  the  walls  and  they  so  haggard 
that  even  the  enemy  was  touched  with  pity. 

One  morning  as  Goodwill  was  returning  from  his 
rounds,  he  again  heard  vicious  pounding  at  a  certain  gate 
(the  gate  of  Natural  resource  monopoly).  He  hastened  to 
his  house  and  disposing  of  his  errands  said:  "Mother 
I  fear  for  the  castle  to-day.  I  will  go  to  the  tree  and  see 
what  the  tidings  are."  He  hastened  to  the  tree  from 
whence  he  could  see  every  part  of  the  castle.  The  noise 
of  the  blows  were  terrific.  Crash!  Crash!  Then  the 


202  THE    TABLEAU. 

shouts  from  without;  but  the  streets  were  deserted — the 
poor  starved  monopolists  had  at  last  lost  their  strength. 
Bank!  Bang!  Crash!  Then  again  the  shouts  of  the 
besiegers. 

Goodwill  listened  intently. 

Crash!  Crash!  Then  a  slight  crackling  sound  as  if 
something  gave  way.  Goodwill's  heart  beat  fast. 

Again  the  pounding  of  the  rams — pound!  pound! 
crash!— and  the  gate  fell  from  its  hinges  and  the  army 
poured  in. 

"Softly!  Softly!"  was  the  command  of  the  leaders, 
"  be  good  to  the  prisoners." 

The  generals  made  haste  to  enter  the  palace  of  the 
Governor.  Many  of  the  people  had  been  eagerly  wait 
ing  to  see  the  grand  mysteries  of  the  constitution — mys 
teries  so  deep  and  holy  that  thousands  had  suffered 
martyrdom  and  lifelong  oppression  without  raising  a 
voice  against  the  oppressor,  because  his  oppression  was 
sanctioned  by  the  constitution.  ^ 

Where  are  the  wonders  of  this  castle,  they  cried,  while 
those  that  had  surrendered  looked  on  in  horror,  expecting 
some  terrible  manifestations  of  the  displeasure  of  their 
forefathers,  but  like  the  strength  of  the  body  had  faded, 
so  the  strength  of  mind;  the  dead  cannot  help  the  living, 
neither  the  living  the  dead;  each  must  build  his  own 
house. 

In  the  offices,  those  who  resisted  were  quickly  dis 
patched. 

The  Chief  of  Police  with  all  his  family,  came  to  his 
door  and  prostrated  themselves  to  the  earth. 

"Ah!  That  is  as  it  should  be,"  said  the  Captain. 
'*Thou  art  a  fine  specimen  of  strength  and  vigor.  Take 
them  comrades,  feed  them  well,  they  will  make  a  splendid 
set  of  quarry  men."  The  streets  were  full  of  men  and 


THE   TABLEAU.  203 

women,  but  no  cries  of  agony  arose  from  the  prisoners. 
There  seemed  rather  to  be  a  feeling  of  relief  and  satisfac 
tion  in  the  meeting  of  the  classes. 

All  went  well  until  the  treasure  house  of  the  Count 
was  entered. 

"Come  away!"  ordered  the  leader. 

"  I — I  cannot  leave  my  gold,"  cried  the  Count  tremb 
ling^ 

"Come!  Hasten,  wretch!  Why  did'st  thou  so  miser 
ably  defraud  the  poor  and  needy  ?  " 

"  Good  man  of  Labor,  leave  me  here  in  peace  and  I 
will  give  thee  some  of  my  lovely  gold — gold!  Ah!  How 
it  shines!  "  cried  he. 

"Wilt  thou  come?" 

"I — I  cannot  leave  it!  Good  man  of  Labor,  have 
mercy!" 

"Oh  hear  the  old  miser  plead  for  mercy. 

"No,  Count,  since  we  know  that  such  as  you  have  no 
mercy  with  millions,  but  took  their  very  bread  from  their 
mouths,  therefore,  we  cannot  accept  your  request.  We 
only  want  our  own,  you  can  have  all  you  have  honesiiy 
earned  and  a  pension  besides  when  you  need  it.  Is  not 
that  enough?  Come  along  now.'1 

'•  The  man  is  good  to  thee,  Count,  let  us  go  with  him 
and  live,"  spoke  Legality. 

But  he  clung  to  his  vault  in  which  were  buried  the 
claims. 

"  I  will  not  leave  my  gold!  my  beautiful  gold!!"  he  criei 
franticly.  He  had  gone  mad. 


THE  LAST  MASS. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

BAN  WHILE,  Goodwill  had  carried  the  news  to 
Humanity  and  his  mother,  who  had  prepared  to 
enter  the  castle  to  look  after  some  friends  that 
were  within,  among  whom  were  Christiana  and 
Trinity.  They  straightway  went  to  the  broken  gate  and 
sought  Christiana's  house.  Society  still  felt  somewhat 
attached  to  her  ancient  guardian,  and  when  they  arrived 
at  the  door  her  heart  felt  heavy.  But  Humanity,  who 
was  of  a  more  experienced  and  courageful  nature,  rapped, 
and  on  the  faint  invitation  to  come  in,  she  opened  the 
door  and  they  went  in.  They  found  Christiana  lying  in 
bed,  propped  up  with  pillows,  and  by  her  side,  her  faith 
ful  servant  Trinity.  Her  face  had  changed,  and  when 
she  saw  Society  tears  came  in  those  hard  eyes,  and  her 
lips  trembled.  Then  she  beckoned  them. 

"Children,"  she  said,  "come  hither,  Listen!"  They 
obeyed,  and  stood  before  her,  "Listen!  The  day  of 
the  Lord  hath  come  at  last.  Listen,  you  can  hear  the 
roar  of  battle,  the  groans  of  the  dying,  the  despoilers  are 
crushed,  their  blood  flows  in  streams.  The  day  of  the 
Lord  hath  come,  the  day  of  the  Lord  hath  come.  Sing 
praises!  Sing  praises!  Sing  praises!"  She  spoke  to  them 
as  if  she  were  a  spectator  of  a  great  battle.  '  .She  told 
them  how  here  an  enemy  was  destroyed,  and  how  there 
the  eartH  'opened  and  swallowed  them  up,  and  how  at 
another  place  fire  fell  from  heaven  and  devoured  multi 
tudes,  and  broke  out  continually  into  praise  and  thanks- 


THE    TABLEAU.  205 

giving  for  the  destruction  of  heretics  and  those  who  had 
despoiled  the  holy  sanctuaries. 

They  found  out  by  Trinity  that  she  rested  neither  day 
nor  night,  nor  took  food.  He  said  she  was  possessed  with 
a  spirit  and  was  prophesying. 

It  was  not  until  the  castle  had  become  quiet,  that  the 
ecetacy  of  spirit  left  her.  Then  she  clasped  her  hands 
solemnly,  thanked  God,  took  some  food  and  fell  asleep, 
continuing  to  sleep  like  a  child  for  a  whole  night.  When 
she  awoke,  Humanity  who  waited  upon  her,  saw  that  she 
was  changed,  for  she  was  more  meek  and  gentle.  She 
asked  humbly  for  food,  and  when  she  had  taken  it  and 
read  a  few  prayers  from  her  book,  she  fell  asleep  again. 

One  morning  when  it  was  yet  dark,  Humanity  was 
awakened  by  footsteps  and  knocking  at  her  door,  and  a 
voice  calling  : 

"Awake!  Oh  Awake!  And  come  quickly,  Christiana 
calls  you.  Dress  quickly  and  come." 

It  was  Trinity,  and  dressing  quickly  she  hurried  with 
a  fearful  heart  to  the  sick  chamber. 

The  daylight  was  growing  stronger.  Christiana  sat  in 
her  bed  as  usual,  she  was  dying.  The  face  as  happens 
often  to  dying  people,  was  young  again,  and  it  was  as  if 
it  were  glorified.  Her  eyes  were  soft  and  kind. 

"My  dear,"  she  said,  (she  called  Humanity  dear), 
"  thou  wilt  do  me  a  service.  Trinity  is  old  and  weak,  but 
thou  art  young  and  strong.  Hasten  therefore,  go  beyond 
the  hills  to  the  seashore.  There,  is  a  fisherman's  hut. 
Bid  the  old  fisherman  to  come  quickly.  Tell  him  that  I 
am  dying,  but  I  cannot  die  until  I  have  heard  the  holy 
mass  again.  Tell  him  that  the  day  of  the  Lord  hath 
come — he  hath  blown  with  his  breath  and  his  enemies 
are  scrattered.  The  holy  faith  hath  come  again." 


206  THE    TABLEAU. 

Humanity  marveled  at  these  words,  but  lost  no  time. 
She  went  over  the  sandhills  toward  the  seashore.  It  was 
a  rugged  and  deserted  place — the  wild  fowl  fly  there,  for 
none  ever  com?  there  to  hunt  them.  By  this  time  it  was 
daylight.  Presently  from  a  hill  a  little  higher  than  the 
rest,  she  discerned  in  the  distance  a  hut  standing  alone, 
very  near  the  shore.  It  was  a  rude  establishment,  an 
old  boat  turned  upside  down  and  placed  on  supports.  As 
she  drew  near,  an  ancient  man  in  a  rough  fisherman's 
dress,  with  long  white  hair,  came  to  meet  her. 

"  I  am  ready,"  he  said.  "  I  am  waiting  for  the  mes 
sage." 

It  was  never  learned  what  he  meant,  but  without  greet 
ing  or  ceremony,  he  walked  slowly  away  towards  the 
castle.  Humanity,  however,  understood  by  this  time, 
what  it  meant.  He  was  no  other  than  a  priest.  At  the 
entrance  of  the  castle,  behold  a  marvel.  Humanity  had 
left  a  dying  woman,  she  was  too  weak  to  stand,  she  spoke 
feebly.  Now — could  one  believe  it?  She  was  standing 
at  the  gate  erect  and  strong,  without  even  her  stick,  and 
dressed  in  her  full  habit  of  ancient  queenship.  In  her 
hands  she  bore  reverently,  something  wrapped  in  silk. 
Behind  her  stood  Trinity,  bearing  vestments  and  a  vessel. 
When  the  priest  came,  too,  Trinity  clothed  him  with  the 
vestments.  And  then,  the  High  Priest  going  first,  they 
walked  in  procession,  carrying  their  sacred  things  toward 
the  chapel.  Humanity  followed  watching,  wondering. 
They  sang  as  they  went  the  sixty-eighth  psalm.  It  is  a 
psalm  of  praise  and  thanksgiving.  v 

"  Let  God  arise  and  let  his  enemies  be  scattered." 

Then  they  reached  the  chapel  and  they  walked  in, 
placed  their  sacred  things  upon  a  table,  and  so  made  it 
into  an  altar  for  their  mass. 

The  sun  was  now  high  in  the   heavens,  and   shone 


THE    TABLEAU.  207 

through  an  east  window  with  colored  glass  upon  the 
Queen  and  Trinity  who  knelt  together  at  the  communion 
table,  and  painted  there  faces  a  rosy  red. 

Humanity  looked  on  while  the  priest  went  through  the 
service,  putting  on  and  taking  off  his  vestments  and 
praying.  _ 

At  last  the  mass  was  said. 

The  Queen  was  on  her  knees,  bowed  almost  to  the 
ground.  Trinity  beside  her  in  like  manner,  and  on  the 
otherside  knelt  the  priest,  silently  praying  before  the 
altar.  Then  as  Humanity  watched,  she  saw  Christiana 
suddenly  sink  forward — she  gave  a  cry  and  ran  to  her 
aid.  Trinity  had  risen  to  his  feet  and  the  priest  stopped 
his  prayers,  and  they  lifted  her  up,  but  she  was  dead. 
And  oh!  How  sweet  a  faee  was  that  upon  which  they 
gazed.  All  the  pride  and  wrath  were  gone  out  of  it,  a 
sweet  pale  face  full  of  hope  and  piety. 

She  was  dead. 

First  Trinity  trembled  and  wept,  then  he  recovered  his 
wits,  and  they  set  themselves  to  carry  the  body  back  to 
the  chamber.  No  one  saw  the  procession  on  its  way  to 
the  chap'el  and  no  one  saw  its  return.  As  for  Trinity  he 
died  shortly  after,  and  of  the  priest,  what  became  of  him 
is  not  known. 


JUDGMENT. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

>HUS  far  the  years  had  rolled,  when  on  the  walls  of 
Paradise,  an  aged  muse  did  muse,  casting  his  eye 
through  the  pure  serene,  observant  if  any  from 
the  earth  arrived  confirmed  in  faith.  Thus  view 
ing,  two  he  spied  on  hasty  wing,  directing  towards  heaven 
their  course,  and  now  from  flight  alighting  on  the  battle 
ments  on  which  they  walked,  until  they  stood  before  the 
muse.  Who,  when  he  saw,  embraced  in  passion's  holy 
love,  and  thus  with  comely  greeting  Joy  began: 

"Hail,  Christiana!  Hail  thou  bride  of  happiness! 
Thou  bride  of  my  beloved!  Welcome  to  heaven,  to  bliss 
that  never  fades.  Thy  day  of  trial  and  fear  to  fall  at 
last  is  past.  And  hail  thou  good  and  faithful  servant  of 
thy  queen!  Enter  now  into  the  Joy  eternal  of  thy  Lord. 
Come  with  us  and  behold  far  higher  sight,  than  ere  thy 
heart  desired,  or  hope  conceived.  Come  join  our  wing, 
and  we  will  guide  thy  flight  to  mysteries  of  everlasting 
bliss."  Then  setting  flight  o'er  heavens  radiant  domes 
and  as  they  neared  the  palace  site,  the  muse  with  thunder 
voice  called:  4 

"  Immanual!  Thy  bride  hath  come.  Hail  to  thy  mar 
riage  feast!  "  and  lighting  on  the  throne,  there  suddenly 
was  heard  behind  the  azure  vaulting  of  the  court,  the 
sound  of  trumpets,  and  the  sound  of  crowds,  and  pranc- 
ings  of  steeds,  and  rapid  chariot  wheels,  that  from  four 
quarters  rolled  before  the  Inquisition  seat,  and  so  they 
seemed  to  roll  with  furious  speed,  as  if  none  meant  to  be 
behind  the  first.  The  muse  had  bidden  Michael  sound 


THE    TABLEAU.  209 

to  summon  all  the  hosts  to  the  presence  of  their  king. 
So  soon  dominions,  thrones  and  powers  came  to  the  royal 
city,  New  Jerusalem.  From  morn  till  midday  in  the 
legions  poured,  swiftly  they  rode,  for  love  to  great  Infal 
lible  the  father — Immanuel,  the  son,  Christiana  the  bride, 
drew  them,  and  made  obedience  haste  to  be  approved. 
And  now  before  the  throne,  they  stood,  adoring,  waiting, 
hushed  in  deepest  silence  for  Infallible's  voice  was  listened 
to. 

''  My  faithful  sons,  ye  sons  of  glory,  well  pleased,  have 
I  seen  the  speed  of  your  obedience. 

"Gathering  round  my  throne  in  order  due,  and  well  be 
coming  garb,  illustrious  as  I  see,  beyond  your  wont,  as 
was  my  wish  to  glorify  this  day — and  now  what  your 
assembling  means  attend: 

"  This  day  concludes  the  destiny  of  man.  The  hour  of 
grace,  the  final  hour  of  grace  is  fully  passed,  the  time 
accepted  for  repentance,  faith  and  pardon  is  irrevocably 
passed — and  Justice  unaccompanied  as  wont  with  Mercy, 
now  goes  forth  to  give  to  all  according  to  their  deeds — 
Justice  alone — for  why  should  Mercy  any  more  be  joined? 

"What  more  could  most  abundant  Mercy  do?  Did  I 
not  send  Immanuel  forth,  my  son,  only  begotten,  to  pur 
chase  by  his  blood  as  many  as  believed  upon  his  name? 
Did  he  not  die  to  give  repentance  such  as  I  accept  and 
pardon  of  all  sins?  Has  he  not  taught,  beseeched  and 
shed  abroad  the  spirit,  unconfined,  and  given  at  times, 
examples  fierce  of  wrath  and  judgment,  poured  vindic 
tively  on  nations  guilty  long?  What  means  of  reforma 
tion  that  my  son  has  left  behind  untried?  What  plainer 
words  and  arguments  more  strong  as  yet  remain? 

"  Did  he  not  tell  them  with  his  lips  of  truth,  the  right 
eous  should  be  saved,  the  wicked  damned?  4 
"Some  have  believed,  are  saved  and  sanctified,  prepared 

1ST 


210  THE    TABLEAU. 

for  dwelling  in  this  holy  place,  in  these  their  mansions 
built  before  my  face,  and  now  beneath  a  crown  of  golden 
light,  beyond  our  wall  at  place  of  judgment,  they  expect 
ing,  wait,  the  promised  due  reward.  The  others  stand 
with  Satan  bound  in  chains,  the  others  who  refused  to  be 
redeemed,  for  all  had  grace  sufficient  to  believe,  all  who 
my  gospel  heard,  shall  by  its  law  this  day  be  tried." 

So  saying,  He,  Infallible,  Infinite,  turning,  addressed 
Immanuel,  where  he  sat  exalted  gloriously  at  his  right 
hand. 

"  This  day  belongs  to  Justice,  and  to  thee,  eternal  son, 
thy  right  for  service  done,  abundantly  fulfilling  all  my 
will." 

Thus  spoke  Infallible,  and  the  son  beloved,  arose,  and 
he,  the  book  Remembrance  took — the  seven  last  thunders 
ruinous,  the  crowns  of  life  due  to  the  saints,  his  armor 
took — girt  on  his  sword,  revenge,  reserved  till  now,  and 
with  Infallible,  the  living  chariot  ascended,  signifying  all 
complete. 

!  And  now  the  trump  with  thunder  sounding  melody — 
the  march  began — not  swift,  but  as  became  procession  of 
a  judge,  solemn,  magnificent,  slow,  and  numbers  infinite, 
and  awful  song.  And  now  the  sons  of  man  beheld  their 
coming — the  martyrs  and  the  wise  would  fain  have  fled, 
but  legions  of  the  kingly  troops  held  them  bound  as  once 
before. 

The  loyal,  loud  with  acclamations,  saw  the  coming  of 
the  Judge,  and  drawn  by  love,  inclined  to  his  approach, 
moving  to  meet  the  smiles  upon  his  face. 

Meanwhile  the  wheels  were  stayed  before  the  mass — the 
Judge  ascending  sat  upon  the  great  white  throne.  ^ 

>7Twas  silence  all,  and  quick  on  right  a  mighty  angel 
spread  the  book — this  done  the  Judge  arose,  the  sentence 
to  pronounce;  the  sentence  of  eternal  woe  or  bliss.  Man, 


THE    TABLEAU.  211 

angel,  devil,  god,  stood  to  hear,  and  thus  upon  the  unbe 
lieving  first,  the  Judge  pronounced  the  sentence  as  writ 
ten  long  before: 

"  Depart  from  me  ye  cursed,  into  the  fire  prepared 
'  eternal  in  the  gulf  of  hell,  where  ye  shall  weep  and  wail 
forevermore.  So  saying,  Christ  grew  dark  with  utter 
wrath,  and  drawing  now  the  sword,  which  all  around 
a  fiery  indignation  threw,  he  lifted  up  his  hand,  and  down 
among  the  damned,  the  burning  edge  he  clashed,  and 
forth  he  sent  his  seven  thunders,  ruinous,  which  entering 
rounded  all  their  souls  with  fire. 

Then  Cruelty  was  first,  Tyrany  unrestrained,  vindictive, 
fearful  fierce.  They  weeping,  fled  to  west  among  the 
dark,  but  fled  not  these  the  terrors  of  the  Christ.  He  in 
the  grasp  of  strength  took  them,  upraised,  and  threw 
them  down  into  the  yawning  pit  of  bottomless  perdition, 
ruined,  damned,  fast  bound  in  chains  of  darkness,  ever 
more — and  second  death  and  the  undying  worm. 

A  groan  returned  as  down  the  sunk,  and  sunk,  and  ever 
sunk  into  the  darkness.  > 

Nor  ask  if  these  shall  ever  be  redeemed;  they  never 
shall.  Not  by  force  of  Christ  they  sink,  but  willingly 
they  go  down?  ?  ? 

A  groan  returned,  the  Christians  heard  the  groan  and 
heard  Hell  close,  and  heard  the  Christ  and  Christly  love 
return.  A  shout  of  joy  and  praise  did  split  the  heavenly 
vault. 

This  done,  the  glorious  Judge  turning  to  the  right  with 
countenance  of  love,  beheld  the  shouting  saints. 

"Ye  blessed  of  my  father.  Come  ye  just  enter  the 
joy  eternal  of  your  Lord,  receive  your  crowns  and  sit 
with  me  in  glory  evermore."  &• 

Thus  is  sung  the  ultimate  of  Christly  love,  of,  ChrisViy 
wisdom  and  of  Christly  mercy.  What  is  it?  ?  ? 


WISDOM. 

Part  III. 
CHAPTER  XXV. 

SPELL  of  cold  had  dropped  into  a  flower  sprink 
led  valley  of  the  West.  Rains  had  been  falling 
all  day,  but  now  the  clouds  broke  away,  and  the 

i  remains  hurried  in  a  frightened  manner  eastward. 
The  sun  was  already  drawing  the  color  out  of  the  Pacific, 
and  tinted  the  valley  with  a  pink  and  dark  green.  A. 
breeze  had  sprung  up  which  shook  the  last  drops  off  the 
trees.  The  flowers  brightened,  as  though  glad,  to  again 
meet  the  rays  of  the  sun.  Towards  the  North  and  East 
the  Rocky  Mountains  tower  snow-capped  into  the  skies. 
Deep  gorges  wind  their  way  into  the  valley  in  which 
waters  rush  over  rocks  and  precipices.  Towards  the 
South  stretches  out  the  beautiful  vale,  and  in  the  West 
the  blue  ocean  lines  the  horizon.  The  rains  had  quick 
ened  the  grass  into  a  rich  green.  Palm,  magnolia  and 
olive  trees  glittered  in  the  evening  sun.  For  awhile  as 
he  sank  lower  and  lower,  nature  wore  her  grandest  gar 
ments — the  valley  in  green,  the  skies  with  the  wall  of 
clouds  in  the  East,  reddish  brown,  and  as  two  leaning  pil 
lars  could  be  seen  a  fading  rainbow.  A  more  beautiful 
picture  would  perplex  the  keenest  imagination.  ~  Amidst 
this  scene  lay  a  city  from  the  mountains  to  the  sea — 
the  resort  of  Reason  and  Humanity.  They  have  circum 
navigated  and  explored  the  Earth  from  pole  to  pole — sur 
rounded  and  re-surrounded  her  by  telegraph — bound  and 
rebound  her  by  railroads  and  steamship  lines,  and  all  the 
islands  have  been  visited,  learned  and  made  subjects  of 


THE   TABLEAU.  218 

& 

Civility.  America  has  become  owner  of  America  and 
lives  in  peace  by  the  Pacific.  Here  is  no  cold,  no  storm, 
no  lightning,  and  fruit,  roses  and  flowers  without  end,  all 
the  year  round. 

The  wind  had  gone  down,  and  the  nature  of  the  even 
ing  brought  the  population  6*ut  for  an  evening  airing. 
Men,  women  and  children  strolled  into  the  parks,  and 
their  joyful  voices  resounded  in  the  atmosphere.  Here 
and  there  an  orchestra  struck  up  an  air,  inviting  the 
dwellers  to  an  entertainment.  Miles  and  miles  of  streets 
lined  with  blocks,  alternately  divided  into  residences, 
seminaries,  store-rooms  and  parks,  cross  and  recross  the 
vale.  $ 

Here  the  Americans  from  the  North  and  from  the  South 
have  settled.  The  unending  Spring,  and  the  safety  from 
the  storms  of  other  parts,  has  drawn  them  hither.  Also 
because  the  new  order  of  government  enables  them  to 
select  the  most  convenient  and  favorable  portion  for  a 
place  to  spend  their  vacations,  of  which  they  have 
half  of  all  time,  and  often  more.  With  all  the  profiters 
thrown  into  the  fields  of  Labor,  the  substance  for  living 
has  become  an  inconsiderable  object.  On  the  plains  be 
yond  the  mountains  the  steam  ploughs  do  the  work. 

The  railroads  are  built,  the  bridges  are  built,  and  the 
small  things  that  are  done,  are  done  by  steam  and  elec 
tricity,  so  that  the  labor  divided  has  become  a  pleasure 
instead  of  a  burden.  At  seeding  time,  those  appointed 
to  the  work  turn  out  in  an  army,  and  the  puffing  of  the 
plows  makes  music  to  the  men  who  play  the  throttles. 
Then  the  seeder  again  the  same.  With  the  speed  of  a 
trotter  the  acres  fly  into  the  way  of  bearing. 

At  harvest  the  reaper  and  thresher  combined,  as  the 
plow,  is  operated  by  a  throttle  with  no  labor  whatever. 
Then  the  shipping  and  milling  made  easy  by  elevators 


214  >  THE    TABLEAU. 

and  cranes.  The  builders  and  manufacturers  have  at 
their  command  all  improvements,  with  thousands  contin 
ually  experimenting  and  inventing.  All  matter  is  at  the 
command  of  those  who  are  in  the  way  of  thinking  and 
making  efforts  to  improve,  whether  it  be  the  heavens  or 
the  earth.  Knowledge  has^)ecome  a  thing  of  esteem  and 
invention  a  business.  Every  man  knows  when  and  where 
his  labor  is  desired  weeks  before  hand,  and  when  he  has 
done  that  which  of  right  and  equality  becomes  him  to 
do,  he  knows  where  and  how  long  he  can  rest  at  his  ease 
with  no  worry  as  regards  substance  for  living  or  wear 
whatever.  If  a  man  desires  to  do  more  than  his  share 
he  receives  credit  for  it  and  can  lay  up  a  certain  amount, 
End  accordingly  lengthen  his  vacation  or  increase  his  ex 
penses  by  traveling  and  sight  seeing  or  costly  dress.  ^ 

Many  tons  of  overproduction  are  yearly  sent  to  other 
nations  and  exchanged  for  gold  or  other  products,  but 
mostly  for  gold,  for  all  things  with  the  exception  of  a 
very  few,  are  manufactured  and  raised  at  home.  There 
fore  America  has  become  the  golden  nation.  Public 
buildings  are  ornamented  with  gold  inside  and  out.  As  a 
medium  of  exchange  gold  is  only  used  in  foreign  trading 
and  traveling.  At  home  are  checks  and  due  bills  of  labor 
done,  which  checks  represent  substance  for  living  and  all 
necessities. 

But  the  greatest  improvement  is  their  religion.  A 
recent  lecture  on  "  Life  "  by  Reason,  may  serve  best  to  ex 
hibit  its  beauty.  It  reads  thus: 

"The  origin  of  the  stars  and  sands  is  a  great  question. 
The  child  and  the  philosopher,  the  savage  and  the  saint 
can  frame  names,  and  say  here  or  there;  that  is  it,  the 
Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end,  but  that 
§olves  not  the  problem. 
>Why  are  we  here?  From  whence  came  we  and  whither 


THE   TABLEAU.  215 

are  we  drifting?  We  can  believe  in  Alpha  and  we  can 
believe  in  Omega.  But  to  know  is  another  thing. 

Telescope,  spectroscope,  and  microscope,  dissecting 
table  and  manikin,  tell  their  story — strata,  fossil,  deposifc 
and  drift— the  autobiography  of  a  world  in  stone  are 
scanned  by  the  seeking — the  sun  sets  day  after  day,  but 
no  clew  to  origin.  The  act  of  life  is  displayed  in  the 
chapters  of  the  year  before  the  eyes  of  millions — growth, 
decay,  sunshine  and  rain,  atmosphere  and  wind,  heat  and 
cold,  all  by  subtile  laws  and  harmonious  unities,  make  the 
warp  and  the  woof.  The  dust  and  fibre  touch  our  hand, 
the  woods  and  flowers  rise  by  unseen  forces — the  blue 
sky  bends  over  us  with  sky-blue  grace,  and  the  limitless 
space  is  light  and  darkness.  This  is  the  mystery  behind 
which  we  cannot  look,  and  cannot  conceive.  But  before 
is  the  delicate  mechanism  of  life;  coursing  in  our 
veins  and  all  about  us,  giving  smiling  lips,  tinting  the 
leaf,  flushing  the  flower,  floating  in  the  air,  and  yet  so 
strangely  strange,  so  "  sleight  of  hand  "  that  we  cannofc 
understand. 

One  thought  is  precious,  the  thought  that  what  we  know 
cannot  be  hidden;  but  what  we  do  not  know  is  liable  to 
be  discovered  and  brought  to  view.  Another  is_  still  more 
precious,  a  fact — the  "  I  am,"  and  on  this  links  an  indis 
putable  position,  the  "I  was"  and  "shall  be"— and 
though  these  are  limited  conceptions,  it  takes  just  such 
to  make  the  unlimited,  the  infinite— it  takes  the  parts  to 
make  the  whole. 

The  microscope  is  a  window  into  nature's  secret  pano 
rama.  ^Here  is  the  untold  in  minute  peopled  cities  in  the 
sands — creatures  whose  movements  and  economy  are  as 
distinct  and  harmonious  as  those  of  a  legislature.'  We 
crush  beneath  our  feet  a  world  crowded  with  life,  filled 
with  tiny  corporations  all  in  order  with  the  one  great  law. 


THE    TABLEAU. 

x^ 

A  drop  of  vinegar,  a  spatter  of  stagnant  water,  a  handful 
of  earth,  a  foot  of  sod,  a  fathom  of  ocean,  are  the  theatres 
of  life  where  formations  play  their  part.  The  atmosphere 
we  breathe — what  life  swims  not  in  its  blue  haze?  What 
delicate  forms  in  the  air?  What  emblazonry  on  the 
banks  of  sunset  tinted  clouds?  What  myriads  of  electric 
units  and  atoms  rove  up  and  down  the  wide  distances, 
from  sun  to  planets,  and  to  the  furtherest  ends  of  the 
universe? 

"These  are  the  members  the  immortals,  and  of  them  are 
framed  the  schools  and  associations  which  band  in  life 
and  disband  in  death.  Go  into  nature's  temple  unmasked 
with  an  eye  to  the  simple,  and  from  the  simple  to  the 
complex  giving  each  its  due,  the  unit  as  the  unit.  Asso 
ciate  the  units  and  have  the  complex  per  mathematics. 
The  simple  the  scholar,  the  complex,  the  school.  The 
scholars  go  and  come  for  years,  the  schools  band  and  dis 
band  by  days.  The  simple  the  immortal,  the  complex 
the  mortal;  the  man  mortal,  the  substance  immortal. 

"  Zoology  is  the  key  to  mysteries  more  startling  than 
any  moral  or  social  ethics;  it  is  the  key  to  life,  and  the 
science  of  this  generation  has  revealed  in  it,  portends  of 
a  new  age.  What  a  universe  is  man's  life,  and  what 
shall  it  be?  Continually  refining  and  climbing  from 
primary  to  graduate  and  on  to  the  harvests  of  wisdom.  It 
is  the  field  of  the  scientist.  He  must  sing  the  scale.  He 
does,  and  all  the  world  holds  its  breath  and  listens. 

"  Botanic  life  is  an  asylum  behind  barracks.  Here  the 
floating  wanderer  and  the  prisoner  of  dark  earth  find 
comfort  and  entertainment;  from  sun  and  from  cloud; 
in  single  file  and  in  fours  they  take  their  selected  abode. 
Dense  forests  and  wide  fields,  dazzling  in  their  blossom 
ing  flowers,  fragrant  air  of  lily  and  rose  filling  the  earth 
— thick  undergrowth,  where  botanical  life  of  every  form 


THE   TABLEAU.  21V 

and  hue  is  approaching  perfection,  and  all  under  the 
same  sway  of  law  and  order,  as  perfect  as  cities  and  na 
tions.  The  species  as  the  classes,  the  seeds  as  the  gradu 
ates,  and  the  foliage  as  visitors,  to-day  quiet  and  unseen, 
to-morrow  a  graceful  organized  cone,  tossed  from  the 
ground  by  unit  and  unit,  uniting  in  their  own  intelligent 
and  silent  way. 

"  Life!  Life!  Pulsing  through  the  ages,  hanging  out  its 
banners  and  signals  on  every  hand,  charming  the  indi 
vidual  and  the  community,  writing  its  stories  by  days 
and  seasons,  and  filling  the  earth  with  forms  and  fates. 

"Geologic  life:  Records  of  other  years,  volumes  of  ages, 
photography  in  stones,  epitaphs  in  rock,  history  in  ada 
mant,  foot-prints  of  giants  and  monsters,  and  remnants 
of  botanic  life  when  vegetation  was  gigantic  in  its  con 
gregation.  What  lessons  of  imperishable  authority  stand 
out  from  the  hoary  rock,  records  which  laugh  at  man's 
moth-eaten  parchments  and  tell  tales  of  their  infancy. 
Life  below  in  geologic  strata  and  life  above  in  botanic 
plant,  clasping  hands,  banding  and  disbanding.  What 
is  the  world  but  a  school  in  which  the  scholars  rise  from 
the  lower  classes  to  the  higher,  learning  modes  and  wa}^ 
by  which  to  exhibit  and  adapt  themselves  more  effect 
ively  in  coming  years  and  ages.  Geologic  and  botanic 
life  are  primary  classes  of  zoologic  life  which  now  consti 
tutes  the  highest,  but  still  striving  for  more  ease,  grace 
and  power. 

"  On  silent  and  invisible  currents  the  atoms  court  and 
unite,  band  and  disband,  building  the  masonry  of  the 
world.  Through  what  changes  has  not  the  bread  we  eat 
gone?  How  has  it  been  transmigrated  from  stone  and 
clod,  masquerading  in  arctic  seas  or  Indian  plains,  or 
Egypt's  ruins,  in  the  clouds  and  sands — the  pebble  lodged 
in  an  iceberg  at  last  blushes  the  cheeks  of  a  child. 


218  THE    TABLEAU. 

"The  book  of  life  has  many  mysteries.  We  study  to 
no  purpose  if  we  do  not  reach  the  "  I  am  "  and  "  was  "  at 
last.  This  is  the  indisputable,  the  very  foundation  of 
the  universe. 

"When  did  life  begin?  How  came  this  universe?  How 
came  matter  and  mind?  Was  it  nothing  or  shall  it  be 
nothing?  Will  nothing  unlock  the  mystery  of  some 
thing?  Did  man  spring  full  fledged  from  a  clod  and 
woman  from  a  bone?  W7hat  about  the  romance  of  Eden 
and  the  tradition  of  the  fall?  Have  we  invented  a  tele 
scope  by  which  can  be  scanned  the  ages  and  catch  the 
nebula  of  a  beginning,  or  reach  the  shores  when  nothing 
became  something?  For  nothing  is  nothing  and  cannot 
be  sounded  into  something  by  a  sermon  or  oracle,  neither 
can  time  be  cut  and  sliced  by  any  such  thing.  The  pyr 
amids  may  look  down  upon  forty  centuries  and  ethics 
may  stand  for  thousands  of  years.  These  are  but  child 
ren  beside  hoary  Time,  for  his  eyes  have  beheld  the  band 
ing  of  sun  and  stars.  No  language  of  man  could  tell  the 
story  that  from  his  lips  might  fall. 
•  "  When  the  stars  had  not  caught  their  course,  when 
darkness  and  silence  filled  the  spaces,  when  light  swam 
over  the  black  untutored  mass,  swept  across  the  raging 
elements  and  found  a  home  in  a  fiery  lull;  that  was  the 
end  of  one  night.  The  beginning  is  lost  so  I  put  the  mon 
ogram,  "  I  am  "  "  I  was,"  the  indisputable.  Back  of  you 
and  your  ancestry,  back  of  America,  back  of  Rome  and 
Egypt,  past  the  geologic  ages,  past  suns  and  stars,  beyond 
the  fiery  lull,  beyond  the  black  mass,  there  is  the  end  of  the 
conceived,  beyond  is  infinity,  there  I  was,  but  did  not  begin, 
no  beginning  of  atom  or  minute,  I  AM,  I  WAS  eternal, 
immortal  mind  and  matter,  now  a  corporation  styled  man, 
taking  a  course  in  economy  and  politics  in  the  school  of  life, 
to  reenter  the  common  order,  the  immortal  order,  and  float 


THE    TABLEAU.  219 

down  the  stream  of  eternity  in  new  and  better  qualifica 
tions.  Simple  soul  guide  of  simple;  complex  soul  guide 
of  complex.  Soul,  the  holy  of  holies,  the  eternal  father 
of  form  and  governor  of  life.  Soul,  that  was  when  Lyra 
and  Arcturus  and  Orion  took  position,  and  matter  that 
was  when  all  was  still  and  when  all  the  heavens  were 
wrapped  in  flames  of  fire.  "I  AM!"  Here  is  the  har 
bor,  and  from  hence  the  thought  takes  its  wing,  through 
ages  and  kingdoms,  through  spaces,  past  Neptune,  into 
other  systems  linking  link  upon  link  to  the  chain  which 
binds  origin  and  destiny.  From  hence  are  conceived 
orders  of  beings,  pure,  serene,  on  the  heights  of  wisdom; 
heavens  filled  with  angels;  the  homes  of  millions  which 
we  hope  to  join.  Science  and  art  issue  from  hence; 
chemistry  and  geology  must  rest  upon  a  foundation  deeper 
than  tertiary  rock.  Mind  which  spans  two  eternities  is 
the  foundation.  Intelligence  single,  and  intelligence  in 
sum,  solves  the  problem  of  shrub,  mamal,  man  and  na 
tions — of  all  life. 

"  Can  you  comprehend  this  atomite  of  eternity  or  can 
you  grasp  nothing  or  nowhere?  You  may  look  for  rev 
elations  from  the  skies  but  you  cannot  diverge  from  the 
indisputable.  Your  life  depends  upon  yourself  and  when 
you  withdraw  your  hand  you  unlock  the  harmony  and 
your  system  becomes  the  {stage  of  a  painful  drama — the 
breaking  up  of  a  society.  You  suspend  the  order;  the  econ 
omy  and  the  members  disagree  and  disband.  Disorder 
comes  in  many  ways.  Wilful  neglect  is  the  least  cause 
but  the  most  effective,  if  the  aim  is  to  destroy.  Our  dis 
eases  are  mostly  of  improper  conditions,  and  to  account 
for  these  and  fix  them  is  the  office  of  science.  And 
though  the  origin  of  the  universe  may  be  far  beyond  its 
present  exploits,  the  origin  of  man  and  the  laws  of  life 
are  among  the  classical  problems. 


220  THE    TABLEAU. 

"When  did  this  life  begin?  The  elements  move,  and 
motion  is  life.  Man  is  a  drift  in  the  elemental  stream 
and  has  risen  from  a  single  drift  wood  into  a  mighty  dam 
and  turned  the  stream  out  of  its  course  into  a  new  chan 
nel,  and  has  become  master  of  the  situation.  The  ele 
ments  of  this  life  began  when  the  stars  marshaled  to 
their  places  and  the  sun  took  form;  when  the  planets 
crept  out  of  the  fire;  when  the  winds  and  the  rain  and 
the  sunshine  came.  Then  came  the  drift,  the  moss  on 
the  rocks,  the  weeds  in  the  sea,  and  the  shrubbery  of  the 
field;  the  grass  and  herb  and  tree  rustled  and  shook  out 
their  foliage.  The  matter  of  the  earth  congregated  and 
became  as  we  can  see  it;  the  sea  filled  with  fishes,  and 
over  the  land  roves  animal  life  in  multitudes,  and  man 
master  of  them  all. 

.  "Do  we  wonder  at  this  strange  spectacle  of  the  material 
world?  Such  a  vast  and  various  life — such  curious  and 
intricate  forms  and  functions — such  power  and  beauty 
and  possibilities.  But  what  shall  we  say  of  this  art 
and  science  stepping  into  being  through  the  doorway  of 
flesh,  and  on  toward  ineffable  glory.  Is  angel  or  seraphim 
more  or  do  they  promise  more?  What  would  these  fig 
ureheads  mean  without  the  human  thought?  What  of 
history  or  language,  of  society  and  communication  at 
large?  Do  they  not  constitute  everything  that  is  noble 
among  men?  We  need  no  foreign  divinities  when  it  is 
long  since  understood  that  we  are  compassed  by  supreme 
intelligence,  and  that  this  intelligence  has  in  its  control 
every  particle  of  the  universe.  Nothing  is  foreign  if  this 
supremity  is  the  hub  and  circumference  of  every  atom  as 
well  as  of  the  universe.  Intelligence  is  counsellor  of 
every  court,  be  it  of  atom  or  of  man,  and  in  these  courts 
souls  become  related  and  matter  is  made  agreeable,  and 
by  this  the  universe  is  educated  into  an  harmonious  con- 


j  THE    TABLEAU.  221 

stitution.  This  is  the  obvious,  and  means  nothing  less 
than  redemption  through  faith  in  these  divinities,  ART 
and  SCIENCE.  And  what  do  they  stand  for  but  for  life, 
comfort,  beauty  and  power? 

"  If  then  we  drop  the  speculation,  and  insist  on  the  in- 
iispensible,  forget  the  origin  awhile  and  rise  through 
fhese  home  jewels  and  knock  on  heaven's  gates,  conceived 
of  mind  and  to  be  born  of  science,  we  only  inherit  our 
own  offspring.  If  the  building  we  now  inhabit  be  fair, 
and  if  it  was  made  fair  by  cultivation  and  education, 
shall  it  not  become  fairer  still?  The  spirit  that  is  housed 
in  matter  insists  on  it,  and  shall  continue  to  lead  and 
move  on  into  exceeding  grace.  -* 

"And  when  will  the  curtain  drop?  When  will  matter 
and  soul  pass  away  and  space  and  time  cease  to  be? 
These  are  the  impossibilities  to  the  mind.  The  passing 
away  of  matter  or  the  ceasing  of  time  cannot  be  con 
ceived.  But  what  are  the  possibilities  of  which  we  can 
conceive?  "  I  AM,"  and  upon  that  links  the  indisputable 
"SHALL  BE."  To  what  perfection  shall  man  come  in 
this  age  of  star  systems?  What  will  art  and  science 
achieve.  What  unknown  comforts  and  forces  shall  be 
revealed  with  knowledge  and  wisdom  at  last,  of  which  we 
know  not  in  this  young  age;  reaping  the  gain  of  search 
and  sacrifice  of  generations;  broad  in  mind  and  keen  in 
intellect;  a  full  fledged  angel  and  aspirant  for  seraphim 
and  archangel.  But  we  cannot  end  it  or  tell  the  infinity. 
The  "  shall  be  "  is  the  bell  note  of  universal  peace— the 
birthday  chime  of  heaven.  Of  an  end  we  cannot  con 
ceive.  We  are  drifting  and  the  drift  is  upward,  heaven 
ward.  The  greatest  mystery  is  the  end  or  passing  away 
of  matter  and  time.  When  life  passes  from  a  body  we 
know  that  the  harmony  is  destroyed  and  the  members 
disband  to  seek  other  relations,  but  when  the  universe  is 


222  THE    TABLEAU. 

gone  and  whither  it  should  go  is  something  we  cannot 
account  for.  Just  as  the  origin,  therefore,  I  fall  back  to 
the  indisputable  I  AM,  WAS  and  SHALL  BE.  The 
substance  of  our  being  is  immortal,  and  when  life  ceases 
it  is  at  the  will  of  our  own  constitution,  not  of  the  whole 
but  of  members.  If  one  member  of  the  body  becomes 
diseased  the  whole  must  suffer,  and  if  the  member  be 
an  important  one,  and  if  the  other  members  fail  to  re 
store  order  by  timely  and  appropriate  remedies,  the  dis 
order  will  result  in  dissolution  whether  the  other  mem 
bers  will  it  or  not.  And  when  they  are  dissolved  they 
are  bereft  of  nothing  of  that  which  is  properly  their  own, 
but  retain  all  faculties  by  which  they  formerly  built  up 
a  society,  and  with  these  faculties  which  are  better  after 
associations  than  before,  they  can  again  unite  and  make 
other  relations  more  adapted  for  happiness. 

^"And  when  these  star  systems  dissolve;  when  suns  have 
spent  there  force;  and  the  planets  decompose  and  days 
and  years  end,  it  is  but  a  golden  signet  of  peace  and  rest. 
Rest  for  the  whirling  worlds,  rest  for  the  contending  ele 
ments,  rest  for  man,  rest  for  beast,  rest  for  all,  and  the 
inauguration  of  a  universal  quiet.  And  the  orders  of  so 
ciety  or  being  which  the  atoms  will  adopt  in  this  realm 
of  peace,  we  cannot  tell,  but  that  it  will  be  angelic  and 
happy  is  evident. 

"Therefore,  since  man  must  and  will  hope  or  fear  con 
cerning  the  future,  let  us  hope  and  trust  the  soul,  and 
seek  with  all  our  heart  to  bring  its  desires  into  reality, 
here,  hereafter,  and  forever." 

)Thus  the  generations  passed,  with  Reason  going  before 
and  peace  and  prosperity  after,  ever,  onward  and  upward. 
The  mind  more  enlightened  and  the  body  more  refined, 
the  beauty  greater  and  the  resentive  less.  On  and  on  for 
ages  the  stream  widens  and  deepens.  The  state  of  Wis- 


THE    TABLEAU.  223 

dom  is  at  hand.  The  secrets  of  the  atom  and  selectricity 
are  unveiled,  and  the  springs  of  life  discovered.  New 
forms  are  developed,  more  adapted  for  further  develop 
ments.  Angel  and  seraphim  are  no  longer  figureheads, 
but  realities  in  the  form  of  ariels — organized  societies  of 
atoms.  Moving  in  the  skies  as  man  on  earth,*  with  modes 
of  motion  and  communication  proper  to  their  order. 
Electric  bodies  and  selectric  minds  evolutionized  from 
man  as  man  from  clay.  Now  compression  no  longer 
binds  the  atomites  to  earth's  prisonhouse.  As  man  was 
master  of  earth,  so  the  ariel  is  master  of  the  skies.  This 
is  the  glorification  of  those  that  dwelt  in  flesh  and  thus 
Reason  and  Humanity  entered  the  heavens  by  way  of  the 
North  Pole,  to  escape  the  dangers  of  being  arrested  by 
the  sweeping  circulating  currents,  also,  the  ariels  of  Ig 
norance  that  were  undoubtedly  in  these  currents.  Gently 
and  swiftly  they  ascended  within  the  whirlpool  towards 
their  star,  and  as  they  arose  higher  and  higher,  the  air 
became  more  adapted  to  their  being,  became  serene  and 
they  could  move  more  swiftly.  The  stars  became  brighter 
and  the  sun  became  less  oppressive.  On,  on  they  sped, 
ever  swifter  and  swifter.  The  moon  was  nearly  out  of 
sight,  and  the  Earth  hung  like  a  huge  wheeling  globe  and 
became  smaller.  Lighter  and  lighter  became  their  being 
and  easier  their  motion.  At  last  the  limit  of  the  cur 
rents  was  reached  and  they  glided  into  the  quiet  beyond, 
while  the  Earth  went  speeding  on  in  its  course. 

Then  they  collected  themselves  into  their  proper  con 
dition.  1  "  Hail  my  companion  in  heaven.  At  last  we 
have  reached  the  condition  where  is  no  more  weeping." 

Humanity  embraced  Reason  and  wept  for  joy.  As 
the  Earth  sped  away  further,  they  began  to  feel  somewhat 
uneasy,  but  they  saw  nothing  that  was  dangerous. 

"Now  for  the  wonders  of  Heaven!     There  comes  Venus 


224  THE    TABLEAU. 

sailing  along,  hear  the  buzz  of  his  whirl,  and  the  roar  of 
his  speed.  Ah!  What  is  that?  See  the  company  of 
ariels.  See  their  beauty  and  gentle  motion.  Let  u&  go 
and  meet  them  and  learn  from  whence  they  came." 

The  Ariels  perceiving  them,  halted,  and  some  came  to 
meet  them. 

"Of  the  solar  system?"  they  asked. 

"  We  have  arrived  lately  from  the  Earth,"  said  Reason. 

"We  have  looked  for  you  long  ago.  We  are  from 
Uranus  and  are  returning  from  a  trip  to  the  sun.  Come 
along  with  us  to  our  region!  " 

"  We  are  out  for  sightseeing  and  don't  mind  taking  an 
excursion  through  this  beautiful  territory." 

"  Comrades!  Here  are  new  comers  to  the  heavens, 
from  the  Earth,"  said  one  to  the  company. 

"Welcome!  Welcome!  To  the  regions  of  heaven,"  they 
shouted.  I 

"  They  are  going  with  us  on  an  excursion  to  our  home." 

"Welcome  they  are."  "Move  along  then  children,'* 
said  one,  and  in  a  moment  they  were  in  a  most  humor 
ous  mood,  flying  through  the  air  towards  the  course  of 
their  cradle. 

"  Look  out  there,  in  front.  Mars  is  coming.  He'll 
run  you  over." 

So  they  halted  till  he  had  passed.  Then  they  came 
into  the  region  of  the  little  planets,  and  when  they  were 
almost  run  over  by  one,  Reason  remarked  to  Humanity. 

"  This  reminds  me  of  our  journey  in  the  regions  of 
Infallible  and  his  priests." 

"  They  are  not  so  deceitful,  a  person  can  go  out  of  their 
way,"  said  Humanity. 

"  I  wonder  if  we  will  ever  meet  him  again.  I  suppose 
he  is  in  New  Jerusalem." 

"Who  is  Infallible?"  asked  one  who  heard  Reason 
speak. 


.  V HE   TABLEAU.  225 

"  Happy  are  you,  that  you  know  him  not.  He  is  a 
character  in  the  service  of  Gods." 

"  Gods?  "  said  the  ariel  in  a  surprised  mood. 

"Aha,  something  that  is  everywhere  and  found  nowhere. 

"  Tell  us  more  of  Infallible.  The  name  itself  is  som«- 
thing  like  our  Blameless,  also  a  servant  of  God." 

Reason  then  related  what  he  knew  of  Infallible,  of  Gods 
and  Christ.  The  ariels  listened  with  great  attention  and 
seemed  t*  know  what  he  was  talking  about. 

When  he  had  finished,  one  said:  "  It  is  the  old  story. 
Men  saw  mysteries,  and  framed  a  theory,  presented  it  as 
truth,  it  was  accepted,  and  after^  they  had  passed  away 
men  knew  not  whence  it  came,  said  it  was  a  thing  of 
Gods,  believed  it,  and  because  they  believed  it,  they 
would  have  everybody  believe  as  they,  for  you  see  they 
look  foolish  if  you  don't  accept  their  theory  as  trnth,  it 
looks  as  if  they  believe  a  lie,  and  I  suppose  you  know  how 
that  is  an  insult?  " 

Jupiter  was  on  the  other  side  of  the  sun,  so  they  went 
right  on  till  they  came  to  the  course  of  Saturn.  He  was 
coming  towards  them  as  if  it  were  on  the  homestretch- 
His  bride  embracing  him,  his  moons  hovering,  rising  and 
setting.  Reason  and  Humanity  looked  upon  the  object 
which  they  desired  long  to  see,  with  admiration. 

"  Here  comes  a  troop  of  Saturnal  ariels.  See  them  cut 
ting  their  capers,  tumbling  and  summersaulting." 

They  gave  a  shout  as  they  passed  and  disappeared  in 
the  distance.  The  Uraners  resumed  their  journey  and 
soon  they  were  welcomed  by  their  native  brothers  and 
sisters.  The  wanderers  were  received  with  much  joy,  and 
after  visiting  the  different  quarters  of  the  planet,  they 
were  accompanied  to  the  borders  of  the  currents  and 
after  an  affectionate  leavetaking,  they  returned  towards 
the  sun.  As  they  came  into  the  course  of  Saturn  they 


[226  THE    TABLEAU. 

, could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  await  his  passing,  and 
Awhile  they  were  awaiting  there  came  another  troop  of 
'ariels  of  a  different  type  than  themselves. 

"  Waiting  for  the  gentleman,  Saturn?"  inquired  one. 
Reason  answered  that  they  were. 

"Of  the  solar  system  are  you?"  asked  the  ariel  again. 

Reason  said  they  were  from  the  Earth  and  had  come 
only  a  short  time  ago. 

"  This  knocks  planet  life,  don't  it?" 

"  That  is  what  it  does." 

"  Where  do  you  come  from?  "  he  asked. 

"  We  are  from  the  system  of  Lyra,  and  have  come  to 
see  Saturn,  the  '  bride  planet,'  as  he  is  called." 
*    "  He  is  a  fine  object  to  behold,"  said  Reason.      "  We 
have  seen  him  as  we  went  out  with  the  Uraners." 

"Is  this  your  first  trip?"  asked  the  ariel  again. 

Reason  said  it  was,  and  that  they  would  like  to  go  into 
some  other  system,  but  did  not  like  to  go  alone? 

"  Go  with  us,"  said  the  Ariel.  "You  are  heartily  wel 
come,  and  our  people  at  home  will  be  glad  to  make  your 
acquaintance  and  learn  of  the  Earth.  We  are  glad  to 
meet  newcomers  and  help  them  along." 

Now  Saturn  was  turning  the  curve  at  the  right  and 
spinning  along. 

"  Just  see  those  moons,"  said  Humanity.  "  They  are 
playing  hide-and-seek." 

For  awhile  they  sped  along  his  side,  but  were  careful 
not  too  get  to  close. 

"Ho!  Ho!  What  is  that?  Look  out  there  for  the 
comet!  He  is  coming  straight  towards  us.  Right  about 
face!  Double  quick!"  And  away  they  shot,  leaving  Hu 
manity  and  Reason  alone,  but  seeing  that  they  were  not 
up  to  moving  as  fast  as  they,  they  returned  and  took 
them  by  the  hand,  and  soon  they  were  far  out  of  the 
comet's  course. 


TABLEAU.  227 

Then  they  made  a  curve  towards  the  sun. 

"  There  is  old  mother  Earth,"  said  Reason,  as  they  sped 
past  her. 

"  She  is  not  very  fast,"  remarked  a  Lyrian.     "  It  takes 
some  of  our  planets  for  speed." 

They  then  made  for  the  whirlpool  of  the  sun,  and  be 
gan  a  descent  towards  his  surface,  but  soon  the  heat  and 
light  became  so  intense,  that  they  were  obliged  to  retire. 
Then  they  sped  for  their  own  sun,  Lyra  With  the  speed 
of  electricity  they  sailed  through  the  serene,  being  as  if 
it  were  nothing.  As  they  came  to  the  boundaries  of  the 
solar  system,  Lyra  began  to  look  as  the  sun,  and  the  sun 
like  Lyra.  Soon  the  planets  of  the  Lyrians  came  in  sight 
and  the  wanderers  were  pointed  out  arid  told  the  peculiari 
ties  of  the  respective  orbs.  Then  the  party  parted  and 
each  sped  towards  their  home.  Reason  and  Humanity 
went  with  the  ariel  who  had  first  spoken  to  them,  but 
promising  the  others  to  visit  them  by  and  by.  Soon  they 
were  seen  and  the  happy  dwellers  came  out  to  meet  them. 
As  a  brother  and  sister,  the  strangers  were  taken  up. 
Humanity  was  perfectly  happy,  all  the  past  fell  away, 
for  a  new  and  better  state  was  secure.  After  staying  with 
the  Lyrians  for  some  time,  they  departed  again  for  the 
Earth.  Via  the  South  Pole  they  returned  among  men, 
and  great  was  the  joy  of  Society  and  all  their  friends  to 
receive  them  and  hear  the  glad  news.  Now  that  the 
heavenly  leading  avenues  were  secure,  Reason  at  once 
entered  upon  modes  of  converting  rock,  soil  and  vegeta 
tion  into  the  condition  adapted  to  the  attainment  of 
knowledge,  and  soon  the  substance  so  long  in  bondage 
was  given  its  liberty,  and  in  a  more  refined  condition 
than  light  entered  the  heavens. 

One   time   as   Reason    and    Humanity  were   passing 
through  the  whirlpool,  Reason  remarked  that  he  desired 


225  THE   TABLEAU. 

to  explore  the  currents,  that  he  believed  therein  to  find 
some  old  friends  that  had  disintegrated  in  ignorance  of 
the  currents,  and  were  carried  round  and  round  thereby, 
and  unable  to  ascend. 

"I  am  with  you,"  said  Humanity. 

"I  believe,"  Reason  continued,  "  we  may  safely  enter 
the  currents  from  the  whirlpool  and  move  sideways,  if 
not  up  and  down." 

So  they  entered  and  found  as  Reason  had  said,  they 
could  move  at  their  will  within  the  current,  but  could  not 
ascend  or  descend.  Soon  they  discovered  ariels,  but  nei 
ther  Reason  nor  Humanity  dared  go  near  them  for  fear 
of  their  being  of  a  barbarous  nature.  As  they  passed  on 
they  observed  circumstances  which  convinced  them  that 
they  were  of  an  ignorant  order. 

"Here  is  work  for  us  yet,"  said  Reason.  "The  ignor 
ant  are  still  ignorant  and  weakness  still  in  oppression. 
These  atomites  hail  from  Paganism,  and  in  these  regions 
we  shall  find  the  inhabitants  of  the  Earth  until  after  the 
death  of  Christiana.  I  am  looking  for  hell,  New  Jerusa 
lem  and  the  Lord's  day." 

As  they  hurried  along  Humanity  suddenly  stood  still. 
Pointing  in  a  certain  direction,  she  exclaimed  :  "  My 
mother,  my  father,  see,  and  the  friends  of  our  childhood." 
Then  followed  a  happy  meeting  and  mingling  of  ariels. 
Reason  bowed  humbly  to  the  joyful  throng,  and  when  the 
first  emotions  had  subsided  he  reminded  them  of  the 
promise  he  had  made  to  them  when  they  dwelled  together 
in  flesh,  and  that  he  had  now  returned  to  fullfil  it.  Then 
he  told  them  of  his  discoveries  beyond  the  currents,  and 
with  Humanity  as  a  witness,  they  were  soon  on  the  wing 
for  the  heavenly  shores. 

' After  their  landing  in  the  quiet  Reason  and  his  com 
panion  returned  and  entered  another  current.     Here  the/ 


THE   TABLEAU.  229 

found  Moses,  Joshua  and  their  followers — the  Egyptians 
of  the  time  and  natives  and  nations. 

Joshua  recognized  Reason,  and  hade  him  welcome. 
Then  they  went  to  Moses,  and  Reason  spoke  to  him  of 
his  error  and  of  the  truth  and  asked  him  to  recall  his 
doctrines.  Moses  was  a  character  who  loved  truth,  and 
when  he  was  convinced  of  the  statements  which  Reason 
made,  he  immediately  proclaimed  the  new  doctrine, 
thereby  making  the  old  one  void,  and  soon  the  ariels  of 
Israel  also  emigrated  into  the  quiet  beyond,  and  were 
grateful  to  gain  that  which  they  had  so  long  sought. 
Then  they  went  still  into  another  current,  and  found  Jer 
oboam  and  his  followers,  who  also  were  converted  and 
saved.  Then  Siddartha  and  his  followers  who  like  Jero 
boam  were  easily  led  and  made  to  accept  the  truth.  Great 
was  the  rejoicing  in  heaven  as  these  legions  of  dear  human 
ity  entered  the  gates  of  bliss.  The  acceptation  of  the  advise 
of  Reason  made  them  all  as  brothers  and  sisters.  His  ad 
vise  being  long  established  as  good  and  beneficial  in  all 
circumstances  and  the  proof  which  these  legions  had  by 
following,  they  all  joined  together  in  the  same  modes  of 
brotherhood  and  dwelt  together  in  peace.  All  the  old 
difficulties  which  were  caused  by  ignorance  ceased  to  be 
and  all  was  well. 

After  a  great  rejoicing  which  the  heavenly  ariels  inaug 
urated  on  the  arrival  of  these  ancient  children,  which 
were  the  bearers  of  the  great  crosses  and  burdens  of  the 
latter  generations,  and  who  were  the  starters  of  progress 
and  invention,  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  Reason,  Hu 
manity,  Justice,  Common  Sense,  Society,  Tolerance,  Civil 
ity,  Goodwill,  Peace,  Intelligence,  Truth  and  Liberty. 
After  the  rejoicing,  Reason  and  Humanity  resumed  their 
work  of  salvation  among  the  currents.  Next  they  came 
to  the  ancient  and  also  modern  Christians  and  New  Jeru- 


230  THE   TABLEAU. 

salem.  Yes,  and  Hell  according  to  the  doctrines  and 
dogmas  of  the  church.  The  bishops  and  priests  still  in 
extravagance,  and  the  friends  of  Reason  still  in  oppres 
sion,  Erasmus,  More,  Bruno,  Servetus,  and  even  Human- 
itiy's  babe,  it  was  a  "  non-elect."  "  He  who  believeth  not 
shall  be  damned,"  and  so  they  were.  Humanity  wept, 
and  went  to  Christ  and  asked  him  to  deliver  unto  her 
her  babe,  and  Reason  begged  to  be  heard,  but  of  no  use. 
Christ  ordered  them  to  be  seized  and  bound  and  cast 
away  into  darkness. 

"  Have  mercy!  Have  mercy! "  they  cried  and  lamented, 
but  to  no  avail. 

"  Mercy  is  dead,"  the  Judge  said,  and  they  were  cast 
into  hell.  There  they  ceased  to  lament,  and  went  to  the 
Devil  and  related  to  him  their  history,  the  history  of 
heaven  and  the  Earth,  of  Christ,  Infallible  and  Christiana 
and  of  their  damnation.  And  the  Devil  wept  for  sore 
pity  that  he  could  not  help  them.  But  Reason  said: 
u  We  have  escaped  from  the  tortures  once,  and  shall  again. 
Here  are  legions  at  our  command.  Bring  them  together, 
organize,  arise  against  the  tyrrany  of  this  power.  Let 
Christ,  bishop  and  priest  worship,  but  let  them  not  tor 
ture."  Soon  the  inhabitants  of  Hell,  under  the  guidance 
of  Reason,  and  command  of  the  Devil,  were  up  in  rebel 
lion,  and  after  several  sharp  conflicts  the  enemy  was 
made  harmless  and  Civility  proclaimed  as  Queen.  The 
darkest  and  hottest  cells  were  unlocked,  and  the  multi 
tudes  who  had  suffered  at  the  merciless  reign  of  Christ 
w«pt  forth  into  heaven,  and  even  the  Devil  under  the 
influence  of  Reason  and  Humanity  became  a  peaceful 
citizen. 

The  incident  caused  considerable  illwill  towards  the 
Okrifl*,  and  Justice  said  "  crush  the  barbarians,"  but  Hu- 
mwaity  and  Civility,  Tolerance,  and  even  Common  Sense 


HTE   TABLEAU.  231 


said:     "  Forgive  the  ignorant.     Let  Moses  and  th$  proph 
ets  go  to  them,  and  convert  the  poor  deludell  j&Sptt?7 

And  so  they  did.  Christ  and  Christiana  With  all  their 
hosts,  and  even  Infallible  became  gentle  on  learning  the 
truth.  Christiana  thanked  Humanity  for  all  that  she  had 
done  for  her  on  earth,  and  the  making  of  peace  of  these 
greatest  of  enemies,  was  also  the  greatest  of  joy,  and  the 
event  was  marked  by  a  great  jubilee,  in  which  ariels  of 
all  the  solar  orbs  and  many  millions  from  neighboring 
systems  took  part. 

The  truth  brings  to  the  classes  together  for  there  is 
only  one  final  truth,  and  when  this  truth  is  presented  as 
it  ought  to  be,  it  is  self  evident,  and  there  is  none  that 
will  deny  it.  As  long  as  a  truth  is  not  understood,  men 
will  and  are  entitled  not  to  accept,  but  when  once  the 
truth  is  seen,  there  is  none  but  what  will  accept.  All 
soul  seeks  truth  and  when  all  soul  has  been  brought  in 
contact  with  truth,  all  soul  will  be  saved;  not  until  then. 
Thus  one  generation  after  the  other  were  brought  into  the 
light  of  truth,  and  accordingly  were  made  partakers  of 
it,  and  fit  subjects  to  enter  and  mingle  with  those  of 
truth.)  Though  many  were  rebelious  and  often  abused 
Reason  and  mocked  and  scoffed  at  him,  yet  his  patience 
was  great,  and  not  until  all  the  ancient  both  of  cave  and 
jungle  were  made  wise,  did  he  rest.  If  they  believed  not 
his  word,  he  said  "Come  and  see  and  be  convinced.  I  do 
not  ask  you  to  buy  the  thing  by  faith,  but  by  sight  and 
knowledge  and  understanding,"  and  with  this  privilege 
none  were  left  behind.  Even  if  they  were,  infinite  wis 
dom  would  know  how  to  make  them  so,  that  they  could 
be  enlightened,  and  enabled  to  see  and  accept  that  which 
would  save  them  from  harm. 

Thus  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 


DESTINATION. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

GES  have  passed.  The  sun  has  ceased  to  shine 
and  the  planets  have  ceased  to  be.  The  sub 
stance  is  dissolved  and  diffused  throughout  the 
heavens.  Light  and  darkness  are  no  more. 
:f  has  combined  and  the  heavens  are  of  the  mildness  of 
dawn.  The  heat  and  cold  has  ceased,  it  too,  has  combined, 
the  heavens  are  of  the  delightful  temperature  of  Spring. 
All  things  have  become  universal  into  their  most  adapted 
and  proper  condition  for  universal  peace  and  happiness. 
There  are  no  more  clouds,  no  more  piercing  light,  no 
more  burning  heat,  and  no  more  biting  cold.  All  this 
has  fallen  into  the  regulation  of  wisdom  Each  particle, 
each  member  has  its  appointed  freedom  and  limitation, 
which  is  necessary  for  the  equal  happiness  of  all.  Know 
ledge  of  consequences,  and  the  love  of  order,  and  the  fear 
of  oppressing  any  one  member,  prevents  the  neglect  of 
duty  or  the  breaking  of  the  law.  To  promote  this  con 
dition  is  the  aim  and  object  of  all.  The  government  is 
the  concentrated  impulse  of  the  whole  with  none  less  and 
none  more  privileged  than  any  other,  but  all  willing  and 
desiring  to  do  that  which  of  right  is  necessary,  for  the 
continuation  and  security  of  happiness.  This  is  wisdom 
and  love  and  reason.  Thrones,  classes  and  kingdoms 
have  passed  away.  Gods  and  devils  stand  side  by  side 
with  none  saying,  "  Damn,  'or  I  am  greater  than  thou, 
or  depart  from  me."  Nay!  Not  so  despotic  and  haught}'  as 
to  bring  any  one  in  misery  or  pain,  but  mild  and  patient 
as  love  would  say:  "Come  and  behold  with  thine  eyes 


THE    TABLEAU.  233 

my  brother,  hear  with  thine  ears,  conceive  with  thine 
understanding,  that  which  is  for  thy  good,  not  once  or 
for  a  period,  and  then  break  in  wrath  and  torture,  but 
patient  and  not  ceasing  to  plead  in  all  eternity,  until  the 
deluded  is  righted  and  breaks  into  rejoicing  and  thanks 
giving. 

Away  with  justice  that  knows  not  mercy!  Away  with 
mercy  and  patience  that  ends!  Away  with  wisdom  that 
is  victorious  in  destruction!  Away  with  power  that  saves 
not!  Let  that  be  false  justice  that  justifies  revenge.  Let 
that  not  be  wisdom  that  tortures;  and  let  that  be  an  evil 
power  that  saves  not  the  suffering.  Let  conditions  be  so 
established  as  to  save  all  to  the  highest  possible  level 
with  hardships  and  pleasures  universal!  If  there  is  heat 
let  it  be  made  cool  by  cold.  If  there  is  cold  let  it  be 
made  warm  by  heat.  If  there  is  darkness  let  it  be  made 
bright  by  light.  If  there  is  light  let  darkness  shade  it. 
If  there  is  ignorance  let  knowledge  enlighten  it.  If  there 
is  pain  let  comfort  and  pity  ease  it.  If  there  is  want  of 
any  discription  which  can  be  satisfied,  let  it  be  satisfied, 
and  by  so  doing,  life  shall  be  made  better,  hope  brighter, 
and  heaven  nearer. 


Roaming  in  thought  over  the  universe  I  saw  the  little  that  is 
good  hastening  towards  immortality;  and  the  vast  that  is  called 
evil  I  saw  hastening  to  merge  itself  and  become  lost  and  dead. 

Walt.   Whitman. 


THE    END. 


SZTIFB 


A  WEEKLY  RflDICflL  MAGflZINE. 


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